Shock wave therapy
We regularly use shock wave treatment in our practice with good success. More than 75% of our patients report lasting freedom from symptoms after treatment. The advantages of this therapy, which has no side effects, are long-term freedom from pain without surgery or injections.
What are shock waves?
Shock waves are acoustic pressure waves that are focused on diseased body tissue. The energy transferred promotes healing processes in tissue or bone. Depending on the focus, energy and number of pulses, they can dissolve calcifications, stimulate bone healing or improve blood vessel supply and circulation.
Procedure
First, there is a consultation, an examination and, if necessary, further diagnostics such as X-ray or ultrasound in our practice, to find out whether shock wave treatment is suitable for treating your complaints. The shock wave treatment suitable for you, as well as alternatives and complementary treatments, are then discussed individually.
Radial shock wave treatment is used for superficial complaints, focused shock wave therapy for deeper causes. The energy and frequency are set individually depending on the condition. The first treatment then follows. Usually 3 to 6 treatments at intervals of 7 to 10 days are needed. The effect often occurs during the course of treatment, sometimes also after 6 to 8 weeks.
Typical applications
In our practice, shock waves are used particularly successfully to treat chronic irritation of tendon insertions and bursitis, especially in the shoulder, elbow, hip joints and groin. We also have very good experience in treating calcifications of tendons, muscles and joints, such as knee and shoulder joints. Shock waves are also used successfully to treat osteoarthritis and complaints of the sacroiliac joint.
Operations for pseudarthrosis (fractures that have not healed with bone) can be avoided with a few shock wave treatments.
We apply current clinical research findings, which allow polyneuropathies to be treated successfully with specific treatment parameters. Sensory disturbances can regularly be reversed for up to 6 months, which clearly improves quality of life.
We also achieve good results in the pain treatment of spinal disorders.
Classic applications of shock wave treatment include calcific shoulder and tennis or golfer’s elbow.
In the hand, contractures such as Dupuytren’s disease or irritation of tendon insertions with restricted movement are treated.
In the foot, the classic applications are heel spur, plantar fasciitis, Haglund’s deformity, Achilles tendinopathy and delayed bone healing after fractures or after fusion or corrective surgery:
Chronic pull on the tendon plate of the sole of the foot and inflammation (plantar fasciitis) can lead to a heel spur. Common causes are shortened calf muscles, foot misalignment, excess weight or sports overload. Typical symptoms are start-up pain and pain on weight-bearing.
Haglund’s deformity refers to inflammation at the back of the heel where the Achilles tendon attaches. Ossification is often found here. Even wearing closed shoes can cause complaints.
Achilles tendinopathy (achillodynia) is a painful swelling of the Achilles tendon with typical start-up pain. The diagnosis is made using typical signs on ultrasound (reflection pattern and thickening); bursitis at the Achilles tendon is ruled out at the same time.
Costs
Private health insurers usually cover the costs of shock wave treatment if it is indicated (especially for calcific shoulder, tendon calcification, pseudarthrosis, tendon irritation at the elbow, irritation of the sole of the foot, Achilles tendinopathy and heel spur). For patients with statutory insurance, the costs are covered under certain conditions for irritation of the sole of the foot and heel spur. Beyond this, we offer the treatments to patients with statutory insurance as self-pay services. We will be happy to inform you about costs and alternatives in a consultation after the examination.
Examples from our daily practice
A patient complained of pain in the wrist after a fracture. The X-ray showed that a scaphoid fracture had not healed. Surgery had already been planned in a hospital. A few shock wave treatments led to increasing healing and freedom from symptoms. The operation was no longer necessary.
A patient had suffered from complaints in the knee for years. Ultrasound showed calcification in the area of the inner ligament. Shock wave treatment dissolved it and the patient became free of symptoms.
A patient complained of pain in the sole of her foot for many years. Injections and radiotherapy for a heel spur had brought no improvement. Here too, adapted shock wave treatment led to lasting freedom from symptoms.
A patient’s quality of life was severely restricted by loss of sensation due to diabetic polyneuropathy. Walking was unsteady. Shock wave therapy based on current clinical study parameters repeatedly restored sensation for more than six months. The patient was very satisfied with the result and was able to travel on holiday again.
A patient complained of persistent groin pain. After ultrasound showed bursitis (bursitis iliopectinea), she was permanently free of pain after shock wave treatment.