Shockwave Therapy for Achilles Tendinopathy

Achilles Tendinopathy occurs when the achilles tendon degenerates and becomes inflamed. The tendon can swell and may cause pain. This condition is common in athletes, runners and patients who have calf tightness. Achilles tendinosis may occur in the middle of the tendon. This is known as mid substance achilles tendinosis. It may also occur at the point where the tendon connects to the heel bone. This is known as insertional achilles tendinosis.

The Achilles Tendon is the combination of tendons of the soleus and gastrocnemius muscles and connects these muscles to the back of the heel. Insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) is an acute or chronic painful disorder of the Achilles tendon at its insertion onto the calcaneus.

Runners comprise the largest group of patients with chronic pain in the Achilles tendon. The annual incidence of IAT among athletes is approximately 8%. However, individuals of all activity levels and all ages present with similar complaints. The treatment of IAT should start with conservative treatment modalities including rest, icing, physiotherapy, stretching (eccentric loading), exercises, orthoses, heel lifts and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In certain cases braces and immobilization with a cast or a pneumatic walking boot may improve the situation. However, if your symptoms persist for longer than 4-6 months despite trying these conservative measures then treatment with shockwave therapy should be highly considered.

Introduction to Shockwave Therapy

Finally, surgery should be considered for recalcitrant cases of IAS. Prevention of recurrence should focus on:

• appropriate exercise habits including eccentric strengthening exercises,
• a thorough Gait Analysis and biomechanical assessment with accurate prescription of orthotics along with;
• wearing appropriate footwear.

Shockwave therapy is a multidisciplinary device used in sports medicine, urology and veterinary medicine. Its main benefits are fast pain relief and mobility restoration. As well as being a non-surgical therapy with no need for painkillers it makes it an ideal therapy to speed up recovery and cure various conditions causing acute or chronic pain.

SWISS DOLORCLAST METHOD:

In a class of its own! Since 1999, the Swiss DolorClast® has been setting new standards in orthopaedic shockwave therapy (ESWT) as the world market leader, with over 6000 devices in use worldwide. The system, specially designed for orthopaedic use, has changed pain therapy. It ensures a gentle and efficient treatment with pneumatically generated shockwaves, which are transmitted into the area of pain. A treatment with 2,000 impulses only takes about five to ten minutes.

Dolorclast shockwave therapy gives instant pain relief and stimulates healing getting you healed, active and pain free so that you can enjoy all that life has to offer, faster.

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Swiss DolorClast® : Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy – (RSWT®) Radial Shock Wave Therapy

The Foot and Ankle Clinic is proud to have pioneered the use of Shockwave Therapy in Australia since its inception several years ago and therefore all our Podiatrists have vast experience using shockwave therapy and have done extensive training in shockwave therapy and its applications.

• Affordable
• In-Office Procedure
• Walk-In / Walk-Out
• No Time Off Work
• Clinically Proven
• No Drugs Or Side-Effects

At the Foot and Ankle Clinic our highly qualified team of Podiatrists are all members of the Australian Podiatry Association and offer a combined 50 years’ experience.

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