In the exceptionally competitive world of sports medicine, standing out by offering the most innovative treatments is more important than ever. Traditional approaches to sports medicine have their place and value, certainly, but relying solely on those approaches can lead to mediocre outcomes or worse.
Thanks to the power of breakthrough, evidence-backed medical technology like ESWT (Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy), medical professionals can now offer non-invasive treatment options shown to deliver outstanding outcomes for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. From weekend warriors to elite athletes, patients are seeking fast, effective solutions to treat their pain and dysfunction.
A recent article by renowned physicians Allison Schroeder, MD of the Mayo Clinic, Adam Tenforde, MD of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, and Elena Jelsing, MD of the Mayo Clinic, was published in Current Sports Medicine Reports. This publication by the American College of Sports Medicine focuses on the use of ESWT in the management of sports medicine injuries. For those dedicated to staying abreast of the latest in sports medicine, this article is not to be missed; dive in to read it in its entirety.
Treatment of musculoskeletal conditions in athletes with Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is increasingly popular as evidence continues to mount supporting its use. ESWT treatment protocols can be adjusted in the clinical setting: flexibility exists in applying energy-flux density, the number of impulses, type of shockwave (focused or radial), number/frequency/duration of the treatment session, area of application, and postprocedural therapy protocols. The scientific evidence supports that ESWT can safely be used to treat a multitude of musculoskeletal conditions in athletes, including rotator cuff tendinopathy, lateral elbow epicondlyopathy, greater trochanteric pain syndrome, hamstring tendinopathy, patellar tendinopathy, Achilles tendinopathy, other tendinopathies, plantar fasciopathy, bone stress injuries, and medial tibial stress syndrome.
In-season athletes can benefit significantly as ESWT requires no downtime away from sport and may result in quick benefits. Additionally. ESWT in conjunction with physical therapy has been shown to facilitate longer-term gains in function and optimize healing outcomes.
Historically, the best-documented usage for Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) was initially reported by Dr. Christian Chaussy back in 1980 in the successful treatment of kidney stones in a lithotripsy procedure and continues to be effective in this setting today.
Thereafter, ESWT was studied in orthopedics with impressive results. Nowadays, the evidence in support of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy is substantial and growing. Sports medicine clinicians find it exceptionally useful to treat musculoskeletal injuries in athletes.
There are two types of shockwave used in clinical settings: focused shockwave (ESWT) and radial pressure wave (EPAT). See details about each in the chart below.
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ESWT VS. EPAT COMPARISON CHART |
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FOCUSED SHOCKWAVE (ESWT) |
RADIAL PRESSURE WAVE (EPAT) |
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SOURCE |
Electrohydraulic, electromagnetic, piezoelectric devices |
Pneumatic/ballistic devices |
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MAXIMAL ENERGY LEVEL |
Higher |
Lower |
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DEPTH OF MAXIMUM FORCE |
Deeper |
Peak force at superficial structures, attenuated energy at greater depths |
While the mechanisms of action are still being researched, it’s surmised that shockwave has mechanical and cellular effects which stimulate tissue healing and alter pain signaling. The accepted hypothesis is that ESWT vibrations stimulate regeneration and healing as a consequence of mechanotransduction. Additionally, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects reduce pain experienced by patient athletes.
Shockwave boasts a host of benefits and non-invasively treats the root cause of pain and dysfunction. By facilitating healing and accelerating recovery timeline, shockwave therapy is a tool of inestimable value in the sports medicine clinical setting.
The International Society for Medical Shockwave Treatment has summarized numerous indications for the use of shockwave. Musculoskeletal indications relevant to a sports medicine practice include the following:
For a thorough examination of selected pathologies mentioned above, refer to the complete study “Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Management of Sports Medicine Injury”. Contraindications to shockwave treatment include a malignant tumor in the treatment area, pregnancy, lung tissue in the treatment area, epiphyseal plate in the treatment area, brain or spine in the treatment area, and finally, severe coagulopathy.
In conclusion, ESWT and EPAT are safe treatments for peripheral musculoskeletal conditions in athletes and require no downtime, which means little to no time away from sport. Because shockwave reduces pain, inflammation and improves function quickly, athletes suffering from any of the above dysfunctions can benefit from outstanding healing outcomes. Shockwave treatment can be combined with other treatment modalities, like EMTT, and should be used to supplement physical therapy to achieve long-term benefits.
You can become a medical disruptor in your region. The time for fitting in has passed, now is the time to stand out by offering the best in regenerative medicine. Offering non-invasive, non-surgical treatment options to your athletes is a winning scenario for both practice and patient. By adding the right new treatment options, you’ll attract a steady stream of athletes as patients, ranging from amateur to elite.
We welcome conversations and are here to assist whenever you’re ready. Contact us today to speak with a shockwave expert.
The more you know about EPAT, ESWT and other regenerative solutions from CuraMedix, the more effectively you can integrate them into your practice. Take a closer look at the science behind the technology by reading Shockwaves in Sports Medicine from the Level 10 Series.