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EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCKWAVE THERAPY (ESWT)
DOLORCLAST® RADIAL SHOCK WAVES
At Haberfield Foot Clinic, we employ the Swiss DolorClast® Method for Radial Shockwave Therapy. This evidence-based approach effectively targets musculoskeletal pathologies, including conditions such as heel pain and Achilles tendinopathy.
‘‘The tendon/ fascia is thick and degenerate and stretching/load management can only do so much so you want to stimulate it and then work on repairing it. Kick of the healing process with shockwave. I see so many patients where they have just been told to stretch or change activity and it doesn’t do squat’’.
What is Shockwave Therapy?
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) harnesses these shockwaves for medical purposes. In ESWT, a single acoustic pulse is generated, characterized by a rapid rise to a high peak pressure followed by a swift drop to below ambient pressure. These waves are directed to the affected area from the point of contact on the skin’s surface, using the device depicted above.
How Does Shockwave Therapy Work?
The Swiss DolorClast® Method employs single acoustic pressure waves to treat various musculoskeletal pathologies. These therapeutic effects are based on intricate molecular and cellular mechanisms:
Short-Term Effects:
Pain Relief: Shockwaves reduce presynaptic substance P in C nerve fibers, resulting in pain relief.
Improved Blood Circulation: Enhanced blood flow in the treated area serves as the foundation for healing.
Long-Term Effects:
Neurogenic Inflammation Blockade: Shockwaves mitigate neurogenic inflammation, contributing to pain relief.
Enhanced Tendon Gliding: Improved tendon function alleviates discomfort.
Stem Cell Activation and New Bone Formation: Crucial for the healing process.
Conditions Treated by Shockwave Therapy:
Heel Pain (Plantar Fasciopathy/Fasciitis)
Tendinopathies (Achilles, Patellar)
Osteoarthritis
Non-union Fractures
Spasticity
Evidence for the Swiss DolorClast Method:
26 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of the Swiss DolorClast method, as published in international peer-reviewed literature.
Number of Treatments:
Typically 4-6 sessions, although some patients experience significant pain relief after the first treatment.
Discomfort Level:
Treatment may be uncomfortable but is not typically painful.
Eligibility for Shockwave Therapy:
Not suitable for children under 18 (except for Osgood Schlatters disease).
Excluded for patients on anti-coagulant medication (e.g., Aspirin or Warfarin), those with blood clotting disorders, local tumors, bacterial infections, or recent local cortisone injections.
Private Health Insurance:
Item numbers: 004 or 014 & 145. Podiatrists can bill for Shockwave Therapy as an extra item number, potentially leading to increased rebates (please verify with your Private Health Insurer).
The Swiss DolorClast® Method vs. Other Shockwave Machines:
The Swiss DolorClast machine’s superior engineering ensures consistent energy delivery, critical for achieving excellent patient outcomes. It has been the trusted Shockwave machine for elite athletes worldwide since the 90s and has been used at all Olympic Games since 2004.
Common Questions
ESWT may induce mild discomfort. We don’t expect severe agony or pain whilst undergoing shockwave therapy.
This could range from mild soreness to slight swelling or even a bit of bruising at the treatment site. It’s comparable to the discomfort you might feel after a vigorous workout, and usually subsides within a few days
Typically 4-6 sessions
EACH SESSION OF ESWT IS PRICED AT $130.00
YES! It is highly recommended for those individuals suffering from severe discomfort to combine the two therapies. Thus, each individual that undergoes custom orthotic therapy, will be provided with 2 x complimentary therapies in addition to custom orthotic therapy.
Current Shockwave Research
Double-blind, randomized controlled studies, indicate up to 91% improvement with 84% success rate for numerous conditions. Shockwave therapy is a proven effective treatment supported by medical literature
References
Morrissey D, Cotchett M, J’Bari AS, Prior T, Griffiths IB, Rathleff MS, et al. Management of plantar heel pain: a best practice guide informed by a systematic review, expert clinical reasoning and patient values. Br J Sports Med. 2021;55(19):1106–18.
Radford JA, Landorf KB, Buchbinder R, Cook C. Effectiveness of calf muscle stretching for the short-term treatment of plantar heel pain: a randomised trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2007;8(1):1–8.
Salvioli S, Guidi M, Marcotulli G. The effectiveness of conservative, non-pharmacological treatment, of plantar heel pain: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Foot. 2017;33:57–67.
Hansen L, Krogh TP, Ellingsen T, Bolvig L, Fredberg U. Long-term prognosis of plantar fasciitis: a 5-to 15-year follow-up study of 174 patients with ultrasound examination. Orthop J Sport Med. 2018;6(3):2325967118757983.
Guo J, Hai H, Ma Y. Application of extracorporeal shock wave therapy in nervous system diseases: A review. Front Neurol. 2022 Aug 17;13:963849. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2022.963849. PMID: 36062022; PMCID: PMC9428455.
Thomson, C.E., Crawford, F. & Murray, G.D. The effectiveness of extra corporeal shock wave therapy for plantar heel pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 6, 19 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2474-6-19.
Wang, B., Wang, XL., Ma, YT. et al. Evaluation of the efficacy of trigger points combined with extracorporeal shock waves in the treatment of plantar fasciitis: heel temperature and plantar pressure. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 25, 191 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07296-2.
Nikos Malliaropoulos, Georgina Crate, Maria Meke, Vasileios Korakakis, Tanja Nauck, Heinz Lohrer, Nat Padhiar, “Success and Recurrence Rate after Radial Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Plantar Fasciopathy: A Retrospective Study”, BioMed Research International, vol. 2016, Article ID 9415827, 8 pages, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/9415827.