New Blood Vessel Formation

Nutrient blood flow is necessary to start and maintain the repair processes of damaged tissue structures. The shockwave acoustic waves create capillary micro ruptures in the tendon and bone.  Due to micro ruptures the expression of growth factors such as eNOS, VEGF, PCNS, and BMP is significantly increased. The new blood vessels improve blood supply and oxygenation of the treated area and support faster healing of both the tendon and the bone.

Reversal of Chronic Inflammation

Chronic inflammation occurs when the inflammatory response is not completely halted. It can damage healthy tissue and results in pain. Mast cells are one of the key components of the inflammatory process. Their activity may be increased by using shockwaves. Mast cell activation is followed by the production of chemokines and cytokines. These pro-inflammatory compounds enhance the inflammatory process and in the next step, help restore normal healing and regenerative processes. 

Stimulation of Collagen Production

The production of a sufficient amount of collagen is a necessary precondition for the repair processes of the damaged myoskeletal and ligamentous structures. Shockwave therapy accelerates procollagen synthesis. The therapy forces the newly created collagen fibers into a longitudinal structure which makes the newly formed tendon fibers more dense and stiff and creates a firmer structure. 

Dissolution of Calcified Fibroblasts

Calcium build-up is most often a result of micro-tears or other trauma to a tendon. Acoustic waves break up the existing calcifications. Shockwave therapy starts the biochemical decalcification of the calcium build-up of a toothpaste-like consistency and treats the tendon. The granular particles of calcium are then removed by the lymphatic system.

Dispersion of Pain Mediator

Substance P is a neurotransmitter that mediates pain information through C-fibers. This neuropeptide is generally associated with intense, persistent, and chronic pain. It relays pain messages to the central nervous system. Lowering the concentration of Substance P reduces the stimulation of afferent nociceptive fibers and thus reduces the pain. Decreasing Substance P, histamines, and other nociceptive metabolites also help inhibit the development of inflammatory odema. Acoustic waves generated by Shockwave therapy lower the Substance P concentration and trigger pain relief. 

Release of Trigger Points

Trigger points cause pain in the back, neck, shoulder, and limbs. They are palpable nodules in taut bands of muscle fibers and have extremely contracted sarcomeres. The dysfunctional sarcomeres contract so tightly that they begin to cut off their own blood supply. This causes the waste products to build up. This irritates the sensory nerve endings which then causes even more contraction. This vicious cycle is referred to as “metabolic crisis”.Shockwave unblocks the calcium pump and thus reverses the metabolic crisis in the myofilaments and releases the trigger points.

Hip Pain

Shockwave therapy enhances the healing process, fights inflammation, eliminates pain and tenderness and can prevent hip replacement surgery. In 79% of patients with necrosis Shockwave therapy also improves osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Calcifications

Shockwave therapy is one of the most effective treatments of calcifications. Acoustic waves cause disruption of the calcified entities and support their resorption and elimination by the body. SWT significantly decreases treatment length and offers fast relief in chronic stages.

Medial Tibial Stress Syndrome

When treated with Shockwave therapy the passive period is significantly shorter and the recovery time cuts back by at least a half.

Chronic Tendinopathy

Tendinopathies at various areas of the body are a widespread diagnosis of both the active persons and the general population.  Both inflammation of the tendon and damage on the cellular level are successfully treated with Shockwave. The number of sessions is typically 3–5 with 5–10 days in-between sessions.

Insertional Pain

Pain in the muscle insertions typically occurs due to repetitive or prolonged activities placing strain on a particular tendon.

Through the process of neovascularization, Shockwave therapy encourages more blood flow to the area and hence faster healing without the need for addictive pain medication.

Heel Spur/Foot Pain

Calcium deposit on the underside of the heel bone (heel spur) is closely associated with scarring or inflammation of the plantar fascia (plantar fasciitis). Either of the indications or combined, limit patients in their daily activities. Shockwave treats both of the problems simultaneously. Shockwaves are responsible for fast recovery, return to the daily routine, and long-lasting effects in up to 88% of the patients.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is a frequent condition occurring in up to 10% of the general population. Unfortunately the conservative treatment of epicondylitis is lengthy (rest), includes medication (pain killers, steroid injections), and often needs repetition. Shockwave therapy on the other hand offers a rather prompt pain relief and cure with efficiency of over 70% in just a maximum of 5 treatments.

Painful Shoulder

Pain of the shoulder can be caused by e.g. calcifications, impingement syndrome or frozen shoulder. All the indications are a source of dull to severe pain and limit the patients in their daily life.  In calcific tendonitis of the shoulder treated by the Shockwave the calcification disappears completely in more than 85% of the cases. Significant reduction in pain and improvement in shoulder function is observed after 4 weeks. Solution for a lot of cases is surgery or injections to which Shockwave therapy is a fitting substitute. 

Knee Pain

Inflammation or injury of the patellar tendon felt as pain, tenderness, and functional deficit. This condition may interfere with or even end your patient’s sporting career regardless the age and is difficult to treat. Shockwave therapy offers a simple and immediate solution. The patient feels relief right after the first session and in several treatments the cause and the pain vanish.