Shock waves have been used in medicine since 1980. Originally, the then-new procedure was introduced to remove kidney and gall stones without surgery – which was successful and revolutionised the treatment of these complaints. The second area of application was the treatment of poorly healing bone fractures, so-called pseudarthroses.
Due to these successes, more and more research was done on the effect of shock waves on the human body. Subsequently, it was quickly discovered that the procedure is also suitable for the treatment of numerous painful diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Since the beginning of the 1990s, this area of application has become increasingly important and has since proven its worth, including in top international sport.
Today, doctors use shock wave therapy to treat common orthopaedic medical conditions such as calcific shoulder, tennis elbow, achillodynia, patellar tip syndrome and heel spur. Depending on the indication, focused or radial shock waves (or both) are used. Shock wave therapy offers several advantages over conventional treatment methods. For one, it is non-invasive, which means that no surgery is required. This reduces the risk of complications and shortens the recovery time for the patient. In addition, shock wave therapy is performed on an outpatient basis, which avoids hospital stays.
Shock wave therapy has gained popularity in recent years and is appreciated by doctors and patients alike. With its numerous benefits and effectiveness in the treatment of various conditions, shock wave therapy remains a promising treatment option for the future.
To read more: How do shock waves work?
