This article explores a new technology in physical therapy, Shockwave. In a previous article, I mentioned it speeds healing post-injury, post-surgery, longstanding problem joints, scars, chronic pain, tendinitis and arthritis.
What I didn’t mention is how powerful Shockwave is at restoring range of motion (ROM) in joints. After injuries, some people never get enough motion back. Maybe it’s your shoulder, ankle or hip. Shockwave sends pulses into the joint and, believe it or not, immediately increases the ROM.
Patients have gained 20 degrees in shoulder ROM after a single treatment. Subsequent Shockwave treatments further increase ROM. Continued shockwave treatments also reduce or eliminate long-standing shoulder pain. The diagnoses I’m referencing are osteoarthritis, rotator cuff injuries and shoulder replacements.
For knees, results increase ROM by 10 degrees or 15 degrees with the first treatment. As many of you may know, having your therapist haul on your knee is not fun. The diagnoses this has worked on include osteoarthritis, old knee replacements and stubborn post-surgical knees.
Many ankle injury patients who have been in a boot have difficulty regaining ankle ROM, a common occurrence in fractures and severe injuries. Prior to Shockwave, I would use heat, ultrasound, deep massage and aggressive manual mobilization, yielding slow results. With Shockwave, I get results in a single visit that previously would have taken a month.
When referring to the hip, it can be the hip joint itself or the sacroiliac joint (where your hip bone meets your tailbone). Both of these joints can suffer from arthritis and cause pain, limping and limit one’s willingness to walk. Again, Shockwave to the rescue.
You could say that Shockwave in physical therapy was originally developed specifically for use in plantar fasciitis. It is a gentler derivative of what is used in lithotripsy for kidney stones. It is not that strong and does not need anesthesia, but can be uncomfortable. The level of discomfort varies from person to person and location in the body.
When I first purchased the Shockwave several years ago, I didn’t realize the power it has in restoring ROM because Shockwave is known for speeding healing and decreasing pain. But used as a daily tool with patients struggling with getting their motion back has been a great boon. Research indicates that between six to 12 treatments are expected. I have noticed changes in ROM immediately but when used for a full course, we have been able to eliminate joint pain.
Find a physical therapist who has shockwave and see if it can help you.
