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Shockwave Therapy Research

Plantar fasciitis

Leão et al. (2020): Effectiveness of Shockwave Therapy in Plantar Fasciitis

PMC Article

Prospective study showing significant improvements in pain, function, and quality of life after a single-dose focal shockwave protocol.

Kapusta et al. (2022): Long Term Effectiveness of ESWT in Amateur Runners

Journal of Clinical Medicine Article

Long-term study in runners demonstrating reduced pain intensity and improved daily activities following ESWT.

Sonoelastographic Evaluation Study

Nature Article

Ultrasound-based evaluation showing improved plantar fascia properties (stiffness/thickness) after shockwave therapy.

 

Sydney Heel Pain Review: Shockwave Therapy for Plantar Fasciitis

Sydney Heel Pain Website

Clinical overview summarizing studies that document reduced fascia thickness and rapid pain relief after treatment.

Radial ESWT Study

Trials Journal Article

Randomized trial reporting that radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy is safe and effective for chronic, recalcitrant plantar fasciitis.

 

Healthline Review on Shock Wave Therapy

Healthline Article

Overview of research indicating that multiple shockwave sessions reduce plantar fascia thickness and pain symptoms.

 

Ultrasound-Guided ESWT (JAMA Network)

JAMA Article

Study comparing ultrasound-guided ESWT with placebo; results were inconclusive, highlighting variability in outcomes.

 

Focused ESWT Study

LWW Medical Journal Article

Indicates that focused shockwave therapy yields higher success rates and greater pain reduction compared with sham treatment.

 

Plantar Fasciitis Overview (Wikipedia)

Wikipedia – Plantar Fasciitis

Comprehensive summary including treatment options and meta-analyses supporting ESWT efficacy.

 

ESWT Overview (Wikipedia)

Wikipedia – Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy

Broad overview of ESWT applications and mechanisms, including its use in plantar fasciitis.

 

OssaTron Device Information

Wikipedia – OssaTron

Details on the high-energy shockwave system approved for chronic plantar fasciitis and lateral epicondylitis.

Achilles Tendinopathy

Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis on ESWT for Achilles Tendinopathy

PubMed – Systematic Review

A comprehensive review of randomized trials demonstrating that ESWT (both focused and radial) can significantly reduce pain and improve function in chronic Achilles tendinopathy.

 

Randomized Controlled Trial: Low-Energy ESWT in Chronic Achilles Tendinopathy

Journal of Orthopaedic Research – RCT

An RCT reporting that low-energy shockwave therapy yields notable improvements in pain scores and tendon structure compared with placebo.

 

Comparison Study: Radial Shockwave Therapy vs. Eccentric Training

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research – Comparative Study

A study comparing radial ESWT with standard eccentric exercise protocols, indicating that both

methods are effective, with nuances in onset and durability of symptom relief.

 

Review Article: Shockwave Therapy in Achilles Tendinopathy

British Journal of Sports Medicine – Review

An overview discussing the mechanisms, clinical protocols, and current evidence supporting shockwave therapy for treating Achilles tendinopathy.

 

Prospective Case Series on ESWT for Achilles Tendinopathy

PMC Article – Case Series

A prospective study showing significant pain relief and functional improvement over a 12‐week follow-up after ESWT in patients with Achilles tendinopathy.

 

Additional Resource & Overview

Wikipedia – Achilles Tendinopathy

Provides a summary of treatment options—including shockwave therapy—with cited references for further research.

Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

Systematic Review & Meta‐Analysis on ESWT for Tennis Elbow

PubMed Search Results

A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials showing that extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) can significantly reduce pain and improve function in patients with lateral epicondylitis.

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) on ESWT for Lateral Epicondylitis

PubMed RCT Search

Multiple RCTs are available demonstrating that ESWT (both focused and radial forms) provides statistically significant improvements in pain relief and grip strength compared with placebo.

 

Review Article on Shockwave Therapy in Tennis Elbow

British Journal of Sports Medicine Search

A review article summarizing clinical protocols, proposed mechanisms, and evidence supporting the use of shockwave therapy for lateral epicondylitis.

 

Prospective Case Series on ESWT for Tennis Elbow

PMC Article Search

A series of cases reporting marked improvements in pain and functional outcomes over several weeks following ESWT treatment in tennis elbow patients.

 

General Overview and Additional References

Wikipedia – Tennis Elbow

Provides a comprehensive summary of lateral epicondylitis treatments, including sections on shockwave therapy with cited research for further reading.

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