FAQ

What is extracorporeal shock wave therapy?

A non-surgical procedure, extracorporeal shock wave treatment (ESWT) uses shock waves to cure tendinopathies (commonly referred to as tendinitis), including Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, shoulder tendonitis, tennis elbow and more. It takes just 18 minutes and can eliminate the expenses and risks of surgery. The effectiveness of ESWT was indicated in a study of chronic plantar fasciitis patients (with or without heel spurs) conducted by the FDA, where in just one treatment, pain was reduced, on average, by 92%. While research here in the US was on the treatment of plantar fasciitis, ESWT is provided as a treatment throughout the globe and reports from these international applications indicate that ESWT is effective for the treatment of muscular-skeletal conditions throughout the entire human body.

What are some of the benefits of extracorporeal shock wave therapy?

Unlike surgery, you won’t feel worse before feeling better. And, since the treatment is above the skin, you won’t need to schedule time off for the typically painful post-surgical recovery period. Finally, since ESWT is non-invasive, it is a very safe procedure.

What is the difference between extracorporeal shock wave therapy and Lithotripsy?

Similar to extracorporeal shock wave therapy or ESWT, lithotripsy is a shock wave procedure that breaks up and disperses kidney stones. It was when increased bone density and new tissue growth was discovered as an outgrowth of lithotripsy, doctors started looking at other potential applications of shock wave therapy.

What’s the difference between ESWT and other forms of laser therapy?

Lasers and other unfocused pressure wave devices can help relax muscles and relieve some forms of pain. There are a few providers, however, who are positioning these devices with as a form of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT). They are not. They do not work the same way and, as a result, do not produce the same results as ESWT. If you want to repair the tissue surgery free, look for an experienced provider with a high-energy ESWT device.

What can extracorporeal shock wave therapy help treat?

Achilles tendon, elbow, knee, plantar fascia, and shoulder are a few of the more common areas where ESWT has shown success. In fact, ESWT can effectively treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. Contact us to see if your condition can be effectively treated with it.

Why do I keep hearing that I shouldn’t wait and hope that it goes away on its own?

If you don’t treat your tendinitis, you can create new problems. For instance, if you are experiencing pain in your heel, you might compensate by changing the way you walk. It’s only natural to protect against the pain of movement. But these changes -- from limping or walking on your toes – can strain your hips, knees, and lower back, or can even cause a new condition to form in the other foot. In addition, as the condition progresses, you might cause a rupture or tear, leaving you with just one option, surgery, to treat the condition.

How do you know that extracorporeal shock wave treatment can be successful?

ESWT treatment protocols have overwhelming success rates based on an FDA study, where pain was reduced from an average of 7.7 before treatment on a 10-point scale to an average of 0.6 post-treatment, a 92% reduction in pain. No other surgical or non-surgical procedure that we know of compares to this level of success. Of course, over and over, we’ve observed the satisfaction of our patients who have undergone this treatment as well.

What is your experience providing extracorporeal shock wave therapy?

HealthLogicMD started providing extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) in 2017 As one of the ESWT pioneers in Colorado to treat chronic tendinopathy, we are recognized as the area leader in the treatment for tendinopathy-related issues. We use the top-of-the-line Swiss-made DUOLITH® SD1 for delivering the treatment, because it’s powerful energy range can be easily individualized to the patient and the procedure.

Will my insurance cover extracorporeal shock wave therapy?

Every insurance policy, even within the same provider, is different. To find out if you are covered by your insurance policy for ESWT for your condition, we will be happy to call your insurance provider. Please call us with details.

I’ve been to a podiatrist and an orthopedic surgeon and neither has recommended ESWT. Why?

We can’t tell for certain. However, many podiatrists and orthopedic surgeons are more surgically oriented while we at HealthLogicMD are dedicated to reducing the need for surgery and hospitalization whenever possible. What’s more, many doctors don’t yet know about Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy. If your podiatrist and/or orthopedic surgeon is unfamiliar with it, please have them contact us. As a leader in offering ESWT in Colorado, we’ll be happy to answer any questions. Finally, the high cost for a high energy ESWT device – over a half-million dollars – and the training time might be holding back some practices. But we’ve seen the difference that this treatment can make and, therefore, decided to make the investment.

What should I expect during the procedure?

Your comfort during the procedure is our top priority. We will use a local anesthetic to eliminate any pain during the treatment. The body part to be treated will rest on a soft water filled membrane. Ultrasound will then be used to find the inflamed, damaged tissue. A repetitive clicking sound will indicate the therapy is in progress. If at any point, you find that you are not comfortable, simply let the technician know and we’ll adjust how you are resting. What is more, you experience anxiety before the procedure, please let us know and we’ll discuss ways we can address your concerns and help reduce your nervousness.

What should I expect during the recovery period?

Healing will take time – just as your injury developed over time as well. You will gradually recover over the following days to months, depending on your condition, as new tissues cells are created in the damaged areas. Complete could take up to a year. Some mild soreness or bruising can occur after treatment, although not common. And, for some, mild pain can be experienced, but not on a daily basis. Significant improvement can be expected up to thirteen weeks after treatment. A second treatment is necessary in approximately 20% of patients. If needed, this treatment will be given approximately 16 weeks after the initial treatment.

Did I wait too long to try extracorporeal shock wave therapy?

Regardless of how long you’ve had your condition, extracorporeal shock wave therapy offers a non-surgical treatment option for the elimination of your pain or tendonitis. If you do not have a tear or rupture, you could be a candidate.

What equipment does HealthLogicMD use for extracorporeal shock wave treatment?

We use the Swiss-designed DUOLITH® SD1 »T-TOP« from Storz Medical, which has been shown to be effective for the treatment of heel pain due to chronic proximal plantar fasciitis in randomized, controlled clinical studies.

What are the stages of tendonitis?

Tendonitis is a form of inflammation. At the early stages, the best way to treat inflammation is often by resting the area, because it coul;d resolve itself. Patients during this stage can also benefit from anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections, and physical therapy. When the inflammation becomes chronic, however, it can start to become degenerative – i.e., it will damage the tissue – and the repeated steroid injections and other treatments can become ineffective. Before, ESWT, surgery was the only option for the chronic stage. But ESWT has been shown to help the damaged tendon heal on its own, eliminating the need for surgery.

What are the indicators that I should consider ESWT?

If your pain is relatively new – less than six months – there’s a chance you could recover without ESWT. Simply call us today for a recommendation of specialist who could treat the early stages. Don’t wait. Do it before you cause any additional damage. On the other hand, if you have already tried more conservative treatments and/or have been experiencing the condition for more than six months, you might be a candidate for ESWT.

How do we determine if I am indeed a candidate for ESWT?

If you come to us with chronic pain, we will start by thoroughly examining you and ordering any necessary diagnostic tests to form a diagnosis and treatment plan. While this website is about ESWT, that’s not what HealthLogicMD is just about. As an Integrative Family Medicine clinic specializing in prevention and treatment of aging-related health issues as well as in the promotion of long-term wellness, we want to find the best possible plan for your condition and might recommend another type of treatment for you. It all depends on your specific condition.

If we determine ESWT is right for me, how long will I have to wait for treatment?

We recognize that your pain is what’s keeping you from regaining your active lifestyle and that the longer you wait, the more damage could be occurring. So, if we recommend ESWT, we will work to schedule a convenient time for your procedure as soon as possible.