Extra Corporeal Shockwave Therapy

Physiotherapy and Sports Injury Clinic based in E9, London

Introduction

Extra Corporeal Shockwave Therapy (or just Shockwave therapy) is a non-invasive treatment involving no medicines which may be used in the management of a number of soft-tissue conditions such as Achilles or Patellar tendon pain, plantar fasciitis, tennis elbow pain, and shoulder pain due to calcification within the tendons.

Shockwave therapy has been shown to help these conditions in some patients when conventional treatments such as Physiotherapy and steroid injection have failed. Our clinic offers Shockwave Therapy treatment using a Storz Medical Duolith machine supplied be Venn Healthcare (www.vennhealthcare.com).

Normally a course of shockwave treatment requires three to four sessions which at weekly intervals. Treatment should also include advice on rehabilitation of the affected area and prevention of recurrence. Patients may experience an immediate decrease of symptoms following treatment which if successful can lead to a more permanent resolution of symptoms within 2 to 3 months after the final treatment session. Not all patients benefit from Shockwave Therapy treatment but success rates of up to 60-70% have documented in the literature. Our own clinic is involved in on-going evaluation of this treatment and hopes to add to the literature with publication of its own data in the near future.

Shockwave treatment is based on the production of high energy sound waves which are created and focused on the injured structure. This application of high energy waves to the affected area results in a breakdown of scar tissue and calcification if present. This facilitates the body to build up new tissue as intended.

Normally an initial consultation would include a diagnostic Ultrasound to help confirm the diagnosis and accurately locate the site of the problem and to also help to determine the degree of severity of the problem.

Conditions Treated:

Calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder

Achilles and patellar tendinopathy

Tennis elbow

Plantar fasciitis

Shockwave Therapy has a number of advantages including:

It is a non-invasive procedure

There is no need for surgery or medications

Treatment sessions are relatively short lasting on average only 20 minutes

It is carried out as an 'office procedure' so there is no need for hospital admission

To date few complications have been reported

There is a growing database of clinical evidence for it's efficacy (included in NICE guidelines)

For more information on the conditions we treat and services we offer, or to book an appointment please call 020 8510 5751 or email us at p.resteghini@nhs.net

We are registered