Extracorporeal shock wave therapy

[canadarocks]

Has anyone heard of this? I saw a snippet on TLC (or something) and now I see an ad in the paper for it. It seems like it's for the feet and they hook this machine up that sends shock waves through the bottom of you foot. The ad says that it is a "Highly effective treatment for chronic Plantar Fascilitis, Heel Spurs, and Achilles Tendonitis". Seems kind of wierd to me and I wanted to know if this is an "alternative" therapy.

Thanks

 

[Lisa Simpson]

Looking at pubmed there are lots of hits for ESWT, including at least one for plantar fasciitis:

The Active Group reported 56% success at 3 months and 94% success at 12 months posttreatment. The Control Group reported 47% success at 3 months posttreatment. Twelve-month data were not collected for the Control Group as they were unblinded at 3 months and offered treatment. ESWT represents a safe treatment option for chronic proximal plantar fasciitis.

 

[Yahweh]

Best thread title ever

*bump*

 

[Suezoled]

Nope, not quackery. Also called lithotripsy. Same technique that can also be used to break up kidney stones in a non-surgical manner on an out patient basis.

 

[canadarocks]

Thanks for the info!!

 

[sorgoth]

Interesting...does anyone know exactly how it works? (Links would be nice, maybe a brief explanation).

 

[Suezoled]

http://heelspurs.com/eswt/index.html

pretty much sums it up. Although, I have rather wondered at the phrase

It may take as long as 12 weeks to see the full benefit of an ESWT treatment. The beneficial effect of the high-pressure waves may be from the growth of new blood vessels

as it doesn't mention recovery in conjunction with other therapies.

And, remember, just because the FDA approves it doesn't guarantee it's valid.

Although, for existing kidney stones, it does fairly well.