What is ESWT?

Extracorporeal shockwave treatment, also known as ESWT, is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment option for the intense, persistent heel pain associated with chronic plantar fasciitis. “Extracorporeal” means “outside the body”. Shockwaves, also known as pressure or sound waves, are generated from a special ESWT device and focused onto the targeted tissue. The shockwaves are delivered outside the body to trigger an individual’s own repair mechanisms. The concept behind shockwave therapy in orthopedic disorders is that the shockwave stimulates and reactivates healing to encourage revascularization and other elements necessary to advance normal tissue healing. Additionally, shockwaves help to over-stimulate pain transmission nerves, which can lead to a reduction in sensitivity and pain.

Better known as ESWT. This FDA approved non-invasive, non-surgical treatment is a procedure preformed in the office by Dr. Cusumano. The ideal patient is a person that has undergone prior treatment with symptoms present for 6 months or more with minimal improvement.. “Extracorporeal” means “outside the body”. Shockwaves, also known as pressure or sound waves, are generated from a special ESWT device and focused onto the targeted tissue. The shockwaves are delivered outside the body to trigger an individual’s own repair mechanisms. The concept behind shockwave therapy in orthopedic disorders is that the shockwave stimulates and reactivates healing to encourage revascularization and other elements necessary to advance normal tissue healing. Additionally, shockwaves help to over-stimulate pain transmission nerves, which can lead to a reduction in sensitivity and pain

How Does ESWT Work?

For over twenty years, extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), a non-invasive procedure, has been successfully used in the treatment of kidney stones. As the force of a shockwave causes the disintegration of the kidney stone, so does the acoustic energy promote healing in the distressed tissue. The shockwave stimulates and reactivates healing through revascularization and other elements necessary to advance normal tissue healing.

The ESWT device consists of a power supply, a console for generating shockwaves, and a portion of the device that transmits the shockwaves. During the treatment, the shockwave delivery aspect of the device is aligned or positioned over the body so that energy is delivered to the specific body part, with minimal energy delivered to the surrounding tissue. The Epos Ultra® includes an ultrasound imaging system that allows the physician to precisely direct the shockwaves to the treatment area.