Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT)

Who might need ESWT?

ESWT is a non-surgical treatment that uses shockwaves of energy to target damaged tissues within your tendons.  

The therapy helps to increase blood flow in the area and promote cell regeneration while simultaneously minimising pain long-term.  

We use extracorporeal shockwave therapy to manage conditions such as:  

• achilles tendinopathy 
• greater trochanteric pain syndrome 
• hamstring tendinopathies 
• patella tendinopathies 
• plantar fasciitis 
• tennis elbow 

These conditions tend to effect people that do activities involving repetitive strain, especially during middle age.

Clinicians may recommend ESWT if you have chronic symptoms that have lasted 3 to 6 months and haven’t improved with other treatments like physiotherapy or pain relief medication.   

We will also offer ESWT alongside ongoing physiotherapy to strengthen your tendon and muscles while alleviating pain. 

ESWT is not suitable if:  

• you’re taking anticoagulation (blood thinning) medication
• you have a bleeding disorder, such as haemophilia 
• you have a local metal implant 
• you have had a steroid injection in the local area within the last 12 weeks 
• you have had a radiological diagnosis of a tendon tear 
• you have an infection or a septic infection of the joint 
• you’re pregnant or trying to conceive 
• you’re under 18 
• you’re epileptic 

We’ll discuss extracorporeal shockwave therapy with you during a consultation to ensure it’s the correct treatment for you.   

How does extracorporeal shockwave therapy treatment work?

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy targets the affected area of your body using a shockwave machine. 

The clinician applies a gel to your body to help the device glide over your skin. The shockwave machine emits rapid impulses, delivering low-energy sound waves into your body.  

These sound waves will increase the blood flow in the injured area. The aim is to speed up the healing process by enhancing cell regeneration and reducing overall pain and discomfort.  

ESWT shouldn’t be high levels of pain but it can cause some discomfort. During your first treatment, the clinician may use a lower level of intensity and slowly increase it in subsequent sessions. 

Benefits of extracorporeal shockwave therapy 

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy may provide benefits such as:  

• cell regeneration 
• enhanced tissue healing 
• improved range of motion and function 
• minimal downtime 
• pain relief 

Doctors and physiotherapists can use it to manage a range of conditions. 

How successful is extracorporeal shockwave therapy? 

Experts consider extracorporeal shockwave therapy an effective treatment for a range of painful tendon conditions.  

Many patients see an improvement 12 weeks after their first treatment. 

Risks of extracorporeal shockwave therapy 

Although ESWT is non-invasive, the treatment has some potential risks associated with it.  

There is a small risk of: 

• damage to soft tissues 
• tendon or ligament rupture 

However, these complications are uncommon and the vast majority of patients find the treatment effective at managing their pain and supporting recovery.  

Alternative treatments to extracorporeal shockwave therapy 

Clinicians may use other treatments to help manage your painful conditions, including:  

• ice therapy  
• orthotics (podiatry) 
• physiotherapy 
• ultrasound-guided steroid injections