Musculoskeletal Disorders are usually all disorders that affect muscles, bones, and joints. For example, back pain, herniated disc, and carpal tunnel syndrome also lie in this category, as do gout, osteoarthritis, and osteoporosis.

Back pain is highly one of the most widespread diseases with various causes, including psychological causes. The characteristics and causes are diverse. Some illnesses are caused due to work and meet the requirements of an occupational disease.

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders include the following.

Disc-related spinal diseases

Disc-related spinal diseases include

• the diseases of the lumbar spine
• the disorders of the cervical spine

These disorders are among the most commonly reported conditions of the musculoskeletal system.

Hypothenar-Thenar-Hammer Syndrome

Hypothenar-thenar-hammer syndrome is a circulatory disorder of the palm. It can occur either around ​​the ball of the little finger (hypothenar area) or the ball of the thumb (thenar area).

The cause may be blunt violence on the palm when using the hand, the edge of the hand, the ball of the little finger, or the thumb ball as a unique tool, or during activities with direct mechanical force.

Carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome is chronic pressure damage to the wrist. It can result from repetitive manual activities involving flexion and extension of the wrists, from robust grasping, or from activities in which vibrations affect the hands and arms. If these effects occur individually or in combination, the risk of the disease can increase.

Work-related diseases and complaints of the musculoskeletal system are primarily so-called degenerative diseases; i.e., signs of wear and tear.

treatment of musculoskeletal disorders

These can be treated by Shockwave therapy

Historical development of shock wave therapy

Shock waves generated extracorporeally were used for the first time in the early eighties of the last century for breaking up kidney stones. The treatment method revolutionized urological therapy concepts for kidney stones and quickly developed into today’s way of choice.

Since the mid-1990s, shock waves have also been used to treat frequently occurring musculoskeletal disorders. A potent analgesic (pain-relieving) effect is decisive for the success of the therapy. Scientific studies have shown significant improvements due to this treatment in the complete healing of chronic complaints in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. With basically the same technology as in the destruction of kidney stones, extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) can also have a specific effect on orthopedic disease and inflammation processes, tendinopathies (tendon irritation), and muscle hardening

Mode of action of the shock wave

The shock wave treatment action mechanism is based on the introduction of shock wave energy into tissue sections affected by injuries or inflammation. To do this, the attending physician uses a so-called applicator (handpiece), which is applied to the affected part of the body with light pressure. Now 2000 to 3000 focused pressure impulses are emitted into the deeper tissue layers below. Advanced devices use technology that can increase targeting accuracy and precision with a built-in ultrasound probe. Depending on the cause of the pain and the shock wave device used, a therapy session lasts between 5 and 15 minutes. The prices for the treatment depend on the type of device used (radial or focused shock wave) and the respective treatment effort.

 

For the following complaints, shockwave therapy can be used

Calcareous shoulder treatment

The calcareous shoulder is a chronic inflammation of the supraspinatus tendon caused by the accumulation of calcareous material in a cavity within the tendon. After the acute symptoms have subsided or in the chronic stage of the calcareous shoulder, shock wave treatment can be used. Often, this enables the limescale to be gently dissolved.

Tennis elbow

Tennis elbow is a complex inflammatory process around ​​the muscle attachments of the forearm extensor muscles. Often this is due to chronic overload due to one-sided work processes or permanent excessive physical activity. If relieving armbands, changes in daily routines and drug treatment have not improved, you should consider shock wave treatment. Often, 4-6 therapy sessions can already stimulate a lasting healing reaction.

Patellar tip syndrome

The patellar tip syndrome is a chronic inflammation of the patellar tendon caused by injuries or overloads that have not healed. Even surgical interventions often do not bring the desired healing success here. So, if physiotherapy, bandage treatment, or injection treatment have not provided sufficient relief, shock wave therapy can be used.

Achilles tendon

Permanent or recurring inflammation of the Achilles tendon can have a massive impact on quality of life. Every step causes pain; longer walking distances are only possible with painkillers. Because of years of irritation of this sensitive tendon structure, tendon ruptures can also occur, which require lengthy surgical treatment. Especially with active athletes or physically hardworking people, they can consider shock wave therapy at an early stage of the disease. Besides, gentle stretching exercises and high-quality insoles are helpful.

Muscle tension

Many acute and degenerative diseases of the joints and tendons are not only expressed in the form of restrictions in the affected locomotor function. These disorders are accompanied by massive tension in the adjacent muscle parts. Pain-related stress and negative environmental stimuli aggravate these muscular problems even more. In these cases, shock wave treatment can calm tension-related, local muscle swellings and permanently relieve the irritated tissue.

Possible complications and risks

Serious complications are not to be feared if shock wave therapy is used correctly. However, there may be temporary swelling or bleeding (bruise/hematoma) in the treatment area in some cases.

The following contraindications should be observed:

• No use in the lungs/chest area.
• No application via nerves and blood vessels.
• Do not use in case of bleeding disorders or taking Marcum.