Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

Musculoskeletal pain is common for both male and female patients. It causes sudden and severe pain due to occurrence of injury in joints, bones, and other body areas. This problem also develops from arthritis. If it is not treated, then it becomes rare or severe and causes harmful effects. Doctor recommends Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) for its treatment. It uses high-energy shock waves to manage certain musculoskeletal conditions such as hemiplegia, tendinitis, etc. This method is highly-effective for patients. It is also suggested for kidney stones, foot and ankle injuries, etc. The working of this therapy is to deliver high-frequency sound waves, which helps to promote healing, reduce pain, and strengthen muscle tissues in the body. 

Types of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

This approach is of two types. These are as follows:

• Focused Shockwave Therapy: It involves acoustic pulses that treat muscle problems in patients. This procedure is suitable for most acute cases since it requires precision. The sound waves are quite deep, which ranges from 2 to 30 cm in depth. 
• Radial Shockwave Therapy: This non-invasive and highly-effective method uses low-energy sound waves for managing musculoskeletal disorders and painful conditions in individuals. It stimulates the blood circulation and is best suitable for injuries in larger areas. 

Why is this Procedure Important for Patients? 

The significance of this method is to treat certain health conditions, that occur in individuals. These are as follows: 

• Chronic tendonitis
• Achilles tendonitis
• Plantar fasciitis
• Erectile dysfunction
• Neurological disorder
• Kidney stones
• Scar tissue
• Pain in hand, neck, and jaw

ESWT is not recommended for pregnant women or patients with heart problems, open sores, etc. 

Benefits of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

The advantages of shockwave therapy are as follows:

• It is cost-effective and shortens your recovery time. 
• This method is non-invasive, which lowers the risk of complications and does not require surgery. 
• It reduces swelling or inflammation and provides pain-relief in patients. 
• It improves metabolism and enhances the regenerative capacity of a body. 
• It is versatile in treating disorders. 

Risks and Complications of ESWT

ESWT is safe and effective, but it causes several risks in patients. These are as follows:

• Bleeding or blood clotting disorders
• Blockage in ureter
• Injury in skin, nerves, muscles, and organs
• Infection in urinary system
• Steinstrasse
• Biliary obstruction

Procedure of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

Look at the process of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT).

Before Procedure

The following things that can be expected are as follows:

• A blood or urine test must be taken for the identification of kidney, blood counts, and urinary tract infections. The mid-stream urine test is also recommended, which confirms that your urine is sterile or not. 
• Blood thinning medication can cause bleeding in patients. Therefore, it is important to avoid these medication drugs, which helps to reduce its risk. 
• It is important to take fast, which means you are not supposed to eat or drink anything for a few hours. 
• A copy of the advanced care plan must be carried by the doctor and the healthcare team. 
• The jewelry, contact lenses and piercings are being removed during surgery. 
• A patient may take medicine which relaxes them or provides them a light sleep. 

During Procedure

A patient will lie on the operating table, and the water-filled cushion will be applied on your abdomen or behind the kidney. After that, an ultrasound gel is applied on your affected area, which helps to transmit shock waves into the body. The flow of blood is stimulated to your area, which causes swelling in small amounts. After this process, a shockwave gun can be pressed, which releases pressure waves on your affected area. This delivers your rapid impulses and typically lasts for 5 to 15 minutes. 

After Procedure

Some side effects may occur after the therapy. These are as follows:

• A patient may experience pain or soreness over the kidney. 
• The blood occurs into your urine after the surgery.  
• An occurrence of low-grade fever is common for patients. 

You must consult with a relevant doctor while experiencing these symptoms. 

How to Prevent Complications?

An individual must follow the instructions that helps to prevent complications that occur due to ESWT. These include the following:

• Avoid strenuous or high-impact exercises for a few days. It may include running, jumping, playing tennis, etc. 
• It is important for a patient to drink plenty of water after the surgery. 
• Patients must optimize their blood pressure when they experience severe or poor controlled hypertension. 
• Do not take Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs. Take acetaminophen when feeling pain or discomfort.