Dr. Q's Shockwave Therapy

Don't let pain control your lifestyle

Extra corporeal Shock wave Therapy treatment (ESWT) is a clinically proven treatment available for patients presenting primarily with chronic tendon disorders. This is a successful second line treatment for patients who fail to respond to appropriate conservative management including physiotherapy.

What does it involve?
Shock wave is a procedure where sound waves of energy are passed through the skin to the injured part of the body using a special device. The shock waves are mechanical and not electric and work by increasing blood flow to the injured area. This accelerates the body’s healing process.The ESWT application lasts about 5 minutes to deliver the shock wave energy and you must attend for 3 sessions over 3 consecutive weeks.
Indications:
Patients must have an on-going tendinopathy or calcification for more than 6 months and have failed at least one course of conservative treatment such as physiotherapy, injection therapy or orthotics. All patients must have had some imaging to confirm diagnosis prior to ESWT.
Contraindications:

• Pregnancy
• Lung tissue in direction of sound fields
• Presence of a Cardiac pacemaker
• Has had a Cortico-Steroid injection in the area in past 3 months
• Over or near bone growth centers until bone growth is complete
• Malignancy is known to be present in or near the treatment area
• Treatment site has open wounds, skin rashes, swollen, inflamed, or infected areas
• Over ischemic tissues in individuals with vascular disease
• Coagulation disorder or taking anticoagulant/antiplatelet medications
• Infection at the treatment site to avoid the risk of spreading
• History of latex allergy or allergy to coupling solution

Conditions:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles Tendinopathy
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Calcific tendonitis
- Greater trochanter pain syndrome
- Tennis elbow

Referral for shockwaveShockwave treatment is predominantly accessed via our Sports and Musculoskeletal medicine Service.  Your GP can refer you to the sports service via the e-Referral system.  You will initially receive a specialist clinical assessment. Shockwave is not considered to be a first-line treatment option.  You must have had some form of imaging and undertaken a course of conservative treatment, such as physiotherapy, prior to receiving shockwave therapy.