SPORTS INJURIES: EXTRACORPOREAL SHOCK WAVE THERAPY (ESWT) IN SINGAPORE

Whether you lead an active lifestyle or prefer a more sedentary approach, dealing with shoulder, elbow, or ankle pain is a common experience for many Singaporeans. These discomforts often stem from repetitive motions, such as those seen in tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow. However, recent studies shed light on the degenerative nature of these conditions, suggesting that they may not solely result from overuse but also from underlying degenerative processes.

Tennis Elbow

Individuals grappling with persistent joint pain may find that conventional treatments like oral anti-inflammatory medications, injections, and physiotherapy offer limited relief. While these approaches may address inflammation, they often fall short in reversing degenerative changes within the affected tissues.

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) emerges as a promising option for managing chronic musculoskeletal issues. This non-invasive treatment harnesses high-energy shockwaves to stimulate local tissue regeneration, a feat beyond the reach of conventional therapies like massage. ESWT boasts a higher peak pressure compared to regular ultrasound, making it an effective tool for promoting healing processes deep within the body.

Research suggests that ESWT works through various mechanisms, including the formation of new blood vessels, increased blood flow, enhanced protein production, and stimulation of collagen synthesis. These multifaceted effects position ESWT as a versatile treatment option for a range of musculoskeletal conditions.

INDICATIONS FOR ESWT

ESWT holds promise for managing an array of musculoskeletal issues, particularly those resistant to conventional therapies. Common conditions suitable for ESWT include:

Shoulder Issues: Chronic shoulder conditions like tendinopathies, frozen shoulder, and rotator cuff problems often prove challenging to treat. ESWT presents a viable solution, offering significant pain relief and functional improvement.

Elbow Conditions: Repetitive activities can lead to conditions like tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, affecting not only athletes but also individuals in various professions. ESWT shows promise in alleviating pain and restoring function in these cases.

Knee Conditions: Tendinopathies affecting the knee, such as pes anserine and patella tendinopathies, pose significant challenges due to their impact on mobility. ESWT may facilitate healing and improve outcomes for individuals grappling with knee pain.

Ankle Tendinopathies: Injuries to the ankle tendons, including Achilles tendinopathy, can impede daily activities and sports participation. ESWT offers a non-invasive means of promoting tendon healing and restoring function.

Plantar Fasciitis: Chronic heel pain associated with plantar fasciitis can be debilitating, often resistant to conventional treatments. ESWT emerges as a promising intervention for managing this condition and alleviating discomfort.

For individuals grappling with chronic joint pain, ESWT offers newfound hope by addressing the underlying regenerative processes contributing to their condition. If conventional treatments have proven ineffective, consider consulting with our medical team at Hisential to explore the potential benefits of ESWT.

man gym

ESWT has provided hope for those living with chronic pain. It is especially good for conditions that occur due to a slowdown in regenerative processes. It may even help when prolonged treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs or physiotherapy using other methods like massage therapy fails to help.

Get in touch with your Doctors at Hisential today to find out how ESWT can help you!

References

  1. Chen YJ, Wang CJ, Yang KD, et al. Extracorporeal shock waves promote healing of collagenase-induced Achilles tendinitis and increase TGF-beta1 and IGF-I expression. J Orthop Res. 2004;22(4):854-861. doi:10.1016/j.orthres.2003.10.013
  2. Wang CJ, Huang HY, Pai CH. Shock wave-enhanced neovascularization at the tendon-bone junction: an experiment in dogs. J Foot Ankle Surg. 2002;41(1):16-22. doi:10.1016/s1067-2516(02)80005-9
  3. Murphy RJ, Carr AJ. Shoulder pain. BMJ Clin Evid. 2010;2010:1107.
  4. Yao G, Chen J, Duan Y, Chen X. Efficacy of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Lateral Epicondylitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Biomed Res Int. 2020;2020:2064781. doi:10.1155/2020/2064781
  5. Leeuwen MT van, Zwerver J, Akker-Scheek I van den. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for patellar tendinopathy: a review of the literature. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2009;43(3):163-168. doi:10.1136/bjsm.2008.050740
  6. Al-Abbad H, Simon JV. The Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy on Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review. Foot Ankle Int. 2013;34(1):33-41. doi:10.1177/1071100712464354
  7. Hossain M, Makwana N. “Not Plantar Fasciitis”: the differential diagnosis and management of heel pain syndrome. Orthopaedics and Trauma. 2011;25(3):198-206. doi:10.1016/j.mporth.2011.02.003