WHAT IS SHOCKWAVE?
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy or ESWT is an 18-minute non-surgical procedure used to cure chronic plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow, shoulder tendonitis, and other chronic tendinopathies.
Lithotripsy, a similar shock wave therapy procedure, is used regularly for breaking up and dispersing kidney stones. When urologists found that patients who had the kidney stone procedure presented with increased bone density and new tissue growth, the possibilities of shock wave therapy were revisited.
ESWT is used internationally for conditions all over the body. In the United States, an FDA study was performed for patients who suffer from chronic plantar fasciitis with or without the presence of a heel spur. The results were an amazing average reduction in pain of 92% with only one treatment. (This data reflects the results of the patients who participated in a one-year follow-up study with the Dornier EPOS Ultra machine.)
ESWT benefits patients because their condition can be treated extracorporeally, meaning outside of the body. Because the treatment is non-invasive many of the expenses and risks of surgery are eliminated.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS ESWT
Our own experience using our treatment protocol shows an overwhelming success rate of approximately 88%.
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE PROCEDURE?
ESWT benefits patients because their condition can be treated extracorporeally, meaning outside of the body. Since ESWT is non-invasive, there is no lengthy recovery period, virtually no time off from work or risk of causing further damage. The same cannot be said with surgery.
Before the treatment, and to ensure patient comfort, a local anesthetic (Novocain) is administered into the ankle to numb the heel of the foot.
During the treatment, you lie back comfortably with the area to be treated resting on the machine on a soft, water-filled membrane. The technician will make sure you are comfortable throughout the procedure. The technician uses an ultrasound scan to view and target the damaged location. During the treatment, you will hear repetitive clicking sounds.
