Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is a treatment that benefits many people with soft tissue inuries, bone injuries, and some specific diseases. The use of ESWT expands across many medical specialities, such as cardiology, urology, and wound applications. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy has been a very effective noninvasive treatment modality for plantar fasciitis pain which, in some cases, has been unresponsive to other nonsurgical measures suggesting significant pain relief for up to one year. ESWT can also be used for tendonitis, chronic plantar fasciitis and heel spurs, Achilles tendinitis, and among other conditions. ESWT is the non-invasive solution for conditions not helped by anti-inflammatory or immobilization devices. Several other conservative types of treatments include anti-inflammatory medications, ice applications, shoe inserts, and stretching exercises.
ESWT is a non-invasive treatment that helps relieve debilitating chronic pain through a process called cavitation, which stimulates cell production. The process of ESWT occurs all outside the body. The treatment is non-surgical and non-invasive. ESWT sends shockwaves that are high-energy acoustic waves generated with high-voltage electrode spark discharge, and these waves are then focused and targeted at the diseased area to produce therapeutic effect. This is a quick, effective procedure harnesses intense but very short energy waves to heal many chronic painful orthopedic, musculoskeletal, and podiatric conditions. People who have chronic pain have generally developed damaged tissue called tendinosis, which is a degenerative condition. Steroid injections and surgery can be used, but both have limitations and complications. The shockwave treatment forces your body to create new tissue cells in the damaged area. This will cause gradual healing to take place over weeks or months. A short painless treatment under local anesthesia in the office is performed by the shockwave technician. The best thing about shockwave unlike surgery is that you avoid getting worse before getting better, you do not have any lengthy time off of work, or restrictions post procedure. You are able to resume your normal life while the healing process continues.
Complications from shockwave therapy are rare and infrequent. Typically diabetes, or patients with a diminished sensation (neuropathy) or hypersensitivity in the area in questions should not have this procedure performed. Patients who have open ulcers or sores should also avoid this procedure. Shock wave therapy is also not recommended for patients with heart conditions or a history of seizures. Shockwave therapy is also contraindicated in pregnant patients.
Shockwave treatment is covered by some insurance plans, but we will have to check your benefits to see if you will qualify. For patients who do not have insurance, convenient payment plans can be arranged by our office.
For more information, contact our East Orange office at 973-673-FOOT (3668) .
