Shockwave therapy sends pulses of sound energy from a handheld tool into a sore tendon or a tight knot in a muscle. It is used on tendon trouble that PRP also treats, including the elbow, outer hip, heel and shoulder, and sessions come in a series, never more than one a week.
Your physician orders this treatment and sets its strength. You receive it only when it is written on your orders.
What is shockwave therapy?
Your technician holds the tool against the sore spot and delivers a set number of pulses, at the strength your physician ordered.
How does it help a joint or tendon?
The pulses ease pain and kick-start repair in tendon tissue that has stopped healing. Your physician decides whether shockwave fits your tendon and how it is spaced with any injection.
What does it feel like?
Strong tapping that can be uncomfortable for a few seconds. Every 500 pulses you are asked for your pain number. The skin may look red or a little bruised afterward.
Who should not have it?
- Pregnancy
- Blood thinners or a bleeding disorder
- Cancer or infection in the treated area
- A steroid shot in the same spot within the last 6 weeks
- Under age 18, if growth plates are still open near the spot
- On the chest, head or spine, or on top of a big artery or nerve
- A pacemaker
At the start of each visit your technician reads the safety questions aloud. If something has changed, the physician makes the call before anything starts. You may ask to stop at any point.
How long does it take?
About 10 minutes, no more than once a week.
What to remember
- Once a week at the most.
- Give your pain number each time you are asked.
- Mild redness or a small bruise can be normal.
Show us you have it: Explain your next step if heavy swelling or a large bruise shows up. Anything still unclear? Ask, and we will go over it with you again.
Keep reading: PRP for plantar fasciitis, outer hip and gluteal tendon pain.
Other treatments in the program
It belongs to the physiotherapy program for PRP and joint care at PRP STL. A physician orders and watches over every treatment, and nothing starts unless one can step in right away.
Ask whether this belongs in your plan
Your physician looks at the joint or tendon, your metabolic health and what you have already tried, then builds the plan around you. Book an evaluation or get the free guide.
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