In simplest terms, stress fractures are small cracks in the bones.
According to Mayo Clinic, these are usually caused by repetitive force to the area, such as consistently jumping up and down or running long distances. Though, stress fractures can also happen without intense activity, if a bone has been weakened by a condition such as osteoporosis.
Stress fractures usually happen in weight-bearing bones of the lower leg and foot.
Shockwave therapy or Extracorporeal Pulse Activated Therapy (EPAT) is an effective treatment for stress fractures. It delivers strong energy pulses that are applied to the affected area for short periods of time. This stimulates cells that are responsible for bone and connective tissue healing.
Research has also proven the effectiveness of shockwave therapy when it comes to treating stress fractures.
A study was conducted, where 18 trainee ballet dancers who had stress fractures of the metatarsal bone bases were provided external shockwave therapy (ESWT).
The outcome was great. After a relatively short time of rest, all patients were able to return to dancing and reported no pain.
Similarly, another study was done to evaluate the benefits of shockwave therapy for individuals who had stress fractures.
From 1997 to 2003, a total of 62 athletes were treated with shockwave therapy at the researchers’ hospital. This group also included 5 athletes who were dealing with chronic stress fractures that had failed to heal even after medical or surgical intervention.
The athletes were between the ages of 13 and 22 and the fractures were located in the leg, pubic bone, ankle or foot.
The results were remarkable. Successful bone union was achieved in all cases around the 3-month mark. Not only that but all the individuals were able to return to their sports after 3 to 6 months.
In football players, lower extremity stress fractures are quite common. While the bone has the intrinsic ability to repair itself, repetitive damage hampers the process, resulting in these fractures.
At the eight-week follow-up mark, the clinical and radiography results were excellent and all players were gradually able to return to sports activities.
While stress fractures can be extremely painful, shockwave therapy offers a promising way to speed up recovery and enable the body to heal faster.
Discover the benefits of shockwave therapy for stress fractures today. Call 1 (888) 741-SHOC(7462) or visit www.shockwavecanada.com to learn how to purchase a shockwave therapy machine for your clinic, or seek treatment.
