Chronic plantar fasciitis is a condition whereby the plantar fascia inflames and causes pain under the foot for a prolonged period of time. Shockwave therapy is one of the common treatment modalities in handling chronic plantar fasciitis.
So, actually what is the Shockwave therapy?
Shockwave therapy, also known as extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) is s non-invasive and effective treatment that can be provided in physiotherapy treatment. In shockwave therapy, it will produce sound waves with the characteristics of non-linearity, high peak pressure followed by tensile amplitude, short rise time and short duration.
Functions of Shockwave:
- Promote neovascularization at the tendon-bone junction
- Stimulate proliferation of tenocytes and osteoprogenitor differentiation
- Increase leukocyte infiltration
- Amplify growth factor and protein synthesis to stimulate collagen synthesis and tissues remodeling
Indications of shockwave:
- Upper and lower extremity tendinopathies
- Greater trochanteric pain syndrome
- Medial tibial stress syndrome
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Plantar fasciitis
- Adhesive capsulitis
- Non-union of long bone fracture
- Avascular necrosis of femoral head
- Knee osteoarthritis
How shockwave therapy helps with plantar fasciitis?
The waves will travel throughout the skin until the inflamed tissues and eventually trigger the body’s natural healing process which causes new blood vessels to form. The new blood vessels will bring more blood and nutrition to the inflamed areas and regeneration of healthy cells. Besides that, body will received hyper-stimulation of nerve endings which resulting in immediate pain reduction. In addition, shockwave also can helps in break down calcifications and increase cell permeability for increased healing.
Pros of shockwave:
- Non-invasive treatment with minimal preparation
- Resolves pain quickly
- Low risk of complications
Cons of shockwave:
- Not effective for everyone
- Multiple treatment is needed
Prepared by:
Lee Choon Yik
Your Physio Cheras