Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT)
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Shockwave therapy is an effective, safe and non-invasive evidence-based treatment used for long standing (known as chronic) musculoskeletal pain and injuries.
It was originally used in Medicine to treat kidney stones and gallstones non-invasively in the 1980s. For the last 30 years, it has since progressed to treat multiple orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions successfully and safely.
Shockwave Therapy in podiatry
How does it work?
Shockwave works by applying high-energy acoustic soundwaves (shockwaves) that produce secondary cavitation bubbles that burst through damaged and non-healing tissue via the surface of the skin. This essentially disrupts the long-standing nature of the injury, effectively kickstarting the injury to begin healing.
Shockwave Therapy Benefits
What does it do?
Targeted tissue regeneration
The shockwaves break down thickened, calcified, and fibrous tissue which facilitates faster removal of damaged tissue and restores function and mobility. It produces tissue regeneration by increasing blood flow, growth factors and stem cell production to the area targeted, all of which are essential for proper healing but are often inhibited in chronic injuries.
Immediate and long-standing pain relief
Shockwave therapy depletes your C-fibre nerves of “Substance-P”, which is generally chronically elevated in long-standing injuries and conditions. By doing so, it provides immediate pain relief and lowers the level of ‘substance-P’ in the affected area long-term. Many patients report an immediate ‘numbing sensation’ that can last days and drop pain scores from 7/10 right down to 0/10.
Shockwave Therapy treatment
What can it treat?
- Achilles tendinopathies
- Plantar fasciitis
- Osgood Schlatters disease
- Delayed non-union fractures
- Shin Splints
- Osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, ankles and feet
- Hip Bursitis
- Chronic nerve irritation/complex regional pain syndrome
- Cellulite
- Slow healing wounds
It is a great alternative to surgery for conditions such as severe osteoarthritis in the hip, knee, ankles and feet, chronic plantar heel pain or non-healing fractures. There is little to no complications by using this treatment and has shown great patient outcomes.
Shockwave Therapy effectiveness
How effective is it?
We have the most effective unit on the market backed by more high-level clinical studies than any other ESWT device available.
The time it takes varies between patients based on their condition, symptoms, and severity. However, majority of conditions are treated within 3-6 weeks at weekly intervals. Typically, the treatment takes 5-15 minutes depending on the area being treated and results can be felt immediately afterwards.
Shockwave therapy Perth
Combination therapy
At The Foot Clinic, we pride ourselves in using cutting-edge technologies and latest evidence-based treatments in Podiatric Medicine to get you back on your feet, fast! That’s why we suggest using ESWT with our low-level laser treatment that has been backed by rigorous evidence that show greater patient outcomes compared to either alone. You can read more about low-level laser here.