ESWT · Shockwave therapy
Heel spur and chronic tendon problems
ESWT is a treatment method in which acoustic pressure waves applied over the skin are transmitted to the target tissue. It may be used, with appropriate patient selection, particularly for some long-standing problems of tendons and of the areas where tendons attach to bone.
Among the most common areas of use are plantar fasciopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow and calcific rotator cuff tendinopathy in the shoulder. In complaints commonly known as a “heel spur”, the problem is often a pain condition related to the plantar fascia; the presence of a bony projection on an X-ray does not on its own show the source of the pain.
During treatment, you feel a repeated tapping or pressure sensation in the area. The intensity is adjusted according to the type of device used, the target tissue and the person's tolerance. After a session, brief tenderness, redness or an increase in pain may occur.
The number of sessions and the intervals between them vary according to the diagnosis, the type of ESWT used and the clinical response. ESWT is usually planned not on its own but together with appropriate exercise, load management and other necessary rehabilitation approaches.
Pregnancy, active infection in the treatment area and some bleeding and clotting problems are important considerations for ESWT. Taking blood thinners does not mean the same thing in every case; it should be assessed separately, taking into account the method used, the energy level and the person's bleeding risk. If you have a pacemaker or another implanted device, be sure to tell us before treatment.
Who provides it
Cem Yazgan, Yıldız Cöcen Y., Görkem Paşa