Shockwave Therapy

Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), also simply known as shockwave therapy, introduces high-energy acoustic waves into painful regions of the body to promote healing for a wide variety of different musculoskeletal conditions. First introduced in the early 1980s in the form of “lithotripsy” for the non-invasive treatment of kidney stones,  ESWT’s potential for orthopedic applications soon became apparent. This innovative therapy is now used to address pain caused by tendon injuries, chronic ligament sprains, tendinopathies, sports injuries, scar tissue, joint pain and osteoarthritis, stress fractures, and many more conditions.

Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that stimulates the body’s own regenerative processes in the form of increased blood flow, stimulation/activation of your body’s native stem cells around the area of pain, and increase collagen synthesis. The overall affect is to significantly reduce pain within just a few sessions. 

To learn if shockwave therapy is right for you, book an appointment with the world-class team at Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey today.

Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Healing

ESWT has numerous proven benefits for orthopedic patients. Some of these include:

• Improved blood flow in treated tissues
• Increase growth factors in the treated tissues
• Stimulate native stem cells in the treated tissues
• Decrease inflammation reduction
• Soften scar tissue
• Trigger point release
• Positive impacts can often be felt within just 1-2 treatments
• Non-invasive solution with no anesthesia and no downtime required after treatment

Conditions Treated With Shockwave Therapy

Shockwave therapy can be used to treat a vast spectrum of different musculoskeletal conditions. Some of the most common include:

• Rotator cuff tendonitis
• Calcific shoulder tendonitis
• Knee sprains, meniscus tears
• Achilles tendonitis
• Tennis elbow
• Golfer’s elbow
• Ligament injuries
• Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
• Stress fractures
• Osteoarthritis/joint pain
• Scar tissue

• Jumper’s knee
• Frozen shoulder
• Shin splints
• 
  Hamstring strains
• Muscle strains

The therapy is often used to treat chronic conditions but can also be helpful in the treatment of acute injuries and to treat scar formation following surgical repairs. Speak directly with your doctor for more information based on the specifics of your situation.

How Shockwave Therapy Works

Shockwaves are sound waves with a peak pressure approximately 1000 times greater than ultrasound waves. They cause micro-traumas known as cavitation in targeted tissues, thereby triggering the body’s natural healing process. In addition to rapidly reducing pain, ESWT also breaks up scar tissue and can activate the growth of stem cells and tissue cells over time. It is considered to be a safe and effective treatment option for a wide variety of different conditions.

What To Expect During a Shockwave Therapy Session

If your Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey doctor recommends shockwave therapy as part of your treatment plan, here is what you can expect during a typical session:

• Each ESWT treatment is performed in the office
• Each session lasts about 5-6 minutes
• Multiple treatments are recommended for the best results, and are usually scheduled approximately one week apart.
• The treatment area will be carefully located, and gel will be applied to allow for better transmission of the sound waves.
• Sound waves will be generated by a shockwave therapy device that will be used to gently touch the skin.
• Most patients do not experience any pain during ESWT treatment, but if you do experience discomfort, your doctor can adjust the treatment according to your needs.

Combining Shockwave Therapy With Other Treatments

Shockwave therapy is usually integrated as part of a comprehensive treatment approach that often includes physical therapy and possibly other regenerative modalities like extrapororeal magnetotransduction therapy (EMTT), and/or platelet rich plasma (PRP). Speak directly with your doctor for more information about how shockwave can support your overall health and activity goals.

Expertise in Shockwave Therapy at Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey

Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey surgeons are currently some of the only surgeons in the New York/New Jersey area that will offer ESWT treatments.  ESWT technology has been popular in Europe for treating orthopedic conditions over the past several decades.  Our surgeons will treat patients with ESWT in our state-of-the-art and relaxing office environment. Our team is wholly committed to personalized care that puts every patient on the fast road to recovery.

Scheduling Your Shockwave Therapy Session

Ready to find an effective pain relief solution? Call the dedicated team at Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey today to book an appointment and learn if ESWT may be right for you!