Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive surgical procedure that uses and sound waves to stimulate healing in some physical disorders including plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendon, tennis elbow and musculoskeletal. EPAT or ESWT uses sound waves (high amplitude pulses of mechanical energy) to breakup infected tissues and stimulating the rapid healing process.

“Extracorporeal” means “outside of the body” and refers to the way the therapy is applied. Because there is no incision, ESWT offers two main advantages over traditional surgical methods: fewer potential complications and a faster return to normal activity. ESWT has been used extensively for several years to treat fasciitis and other musculoskeletal disorders.

The spectrum of indications in orthopaedic ESWT, initially limited to Pseudoarthrosis, has later been extended to include insertional tendinopathies, delayed wound healing, myofascial pain syndrome and many more. ESWT is now used to treat a growing number of tendon, joint and muscle conditions. It is also used to treat or heal bone necrosis. It is also found to be effective in treating non-healing fractures. The studies show very promising results in treating diabetic foot ulcers, CPPS and ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION (not all models could be used to treat wounds and ED).

In clinical studies, it is observed that EPAT / ESWT, unlike other treatment options, has no significant adverse side effects. EPAT / ESWT can provide:

• Mechanical stimulation
• Activates dormant stem cells
• ↑local blood flow
• ↑in cellular activity-release of substance P, Prostaglandin E2, N0, TGF β, VEGF and almost certainly other inflammatory cytokines.
• Transient analgesic effect on afferent nerves
• Breakdown calcific deposits (primarily, but not exclusively in tendon)
•Reversing degenerative process

Mechanism of action: