Shock wave therapy for osteoarthritis

The procedure can be used both as an independent treatment and in combination with physiotherapy, drug therapy, and exercise therapy. The medical center “Prizma” offers to undergo a course of shock wave therapy for knee osteoarthritis to patients in Kyiv and evaluate the effectiveness of the advanced technique. Modern equipment, doctors of the highest categories with extensive practical experience in working even with complex clinical cases will allow you to get the maximum effect from the procedure and improve your condition.

SWT in knee joint therapy

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common diseases of the knee joints, accompanied by degenerative processes in cartilage and bone. Over time, it triggers irreversible joint destruction. If left untreated, the pathology will progress, causing the patient discomfort, pain, inability to move, and impaired knee mobility.

The method of shock wave therapy of joints is based on the impact on the pathological area of acoustic waves, the frequency of which ranges from 16 to 25 Hz. They are imperceptible to the human ear. Cavitation is formed in the affected area, which leads to the penetration of waves into tissues, providing the following therapeutic effect:

1. Destruction of osteophytes, reduction of their size, reduction of pain caused by this pathology.
2. Improving local blood circulation, stimulating the formation of new blood vessels that will nourish tissues, triggering regenerative processes from the inside.
3. Renewal of cartilage cells, stimulation of regenerative processes.
4. Reduction of pain syndrome, inflammatory processes in the affected joint area.
5. Activation of metabolic processes, improvement of cell membrane permeability.
6. Elimination of muscle spasms that often occur around the damaged joint.
7. Stimulating the production of collagen and procollagen, as one of the most important components of cartilage tissue and ligaments.
8. Improving mobility, including by reducing inflammation, pain, and tissue regeneration.

Along with the local effect, SWT also has a general positive effect, which is manifested in the production of biogenic amines, hormones, and the effect on the peripheral nervous system.

Indications for the use of shock wave therapy for osteoarthritis

Doctors of our clinic prescribe shock wave therapy of the knee joint in the presence of the following symptoms

• knee pain;
• stiffness in the joints;
• crunching during movement;
• presence of osteophytes;
• swelling in the affected area;
• muscle spasms;
• pathologies of muscle tendons (so-called tendonitis).

First, a comprehensive diagnosis is performed to determine the degree of the disease, evaluate the effectiveness of SWT, and develop a treatment plan.

Benefits of SWT for knee osteoarthritis

The main advantages of SWT for osteoarthritis include the following:

1. Non-invasive procedure. There is no surgical intervention and associated long recovery.
2. The treatment is performed on an outpatient basis, i.e. it does not require hospitalization.
3. High efficiency, which is especially important in the initial stages of the disease.
4. Minimal risk of complications.
5. Noticeable improvement of the condition, pain relief after the first procedures.
6. Ensuring a fairly long-lasting effect.

Contraindications to shock wave therapy

In our medical center, shock wave therapy for knee osteoarthritis is not performed for patients who have been diagnosed with blood clotting problems, a pacemaker, malignant tumors in the area of exposure, and acute infectious diseases. Pregnancy is also a contraindication.

SWT for osteoarthritis of the knee joint: features of the procedure

If no contraindications to knee shock wave therapy are identified during the consultation with a doctor, a treatment plan is prescribed. The procedure is carried out on an outpatient basis by an experienced orthopedic traumatologist and includes the following steps

• determination of the pathological area by palpation;
• application of a medical gel to the skin;
• treatment with a special applicator that generates a shock wave.

During therapy, the patient may experience mild discomfort, and anesthesia is not required. With each subsequent procedure, discomfort will decrease.

Despite the fact that an obvious therapeutic effect will be noticeable within 5-7 days after the first session, shock wave therapy for knee joint disease has a cumulative effect. Depending on the patient’s clinical picture, 3 to 10 procedures may be required. They are performed at intervals of 3-7 days. This is necessary for the tissues to have time to recover. The average duration of the procedure is 20-30 minutes.

The exact number and interval between sessions is determined by the doctor individually for each patient. If necessary, it can be repeated every six months. This will prevent further destruction of the joint, launch stable regenerative processes and minimize the risk of surgery.

Shockwave therapy of the knee joint in Kyiv

The effectiveness of SWT in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis directly depends on the quality of this procedure. Do not risk your own health, first contact the experienced doctors of the Prizma Medical Center in Kyiv. This way you can personally evaluate our advantages:

• advanced equipment from the flagships in the medical equipment market;
• experienced doctors of the highest categories who have undergone special training and regularly improve their skills in this area;
• providing comprehensive consultations, diagnostic tests in our clinic;
• reasonable and reasonable prices for shock wave therapy of the knee joint, individual conditions for regular patients;
• carrying out the procedure in our medical center; carrying out the procedure in our medical center;

If you have any additional questions, please contact our medical center for advice. This can be done by phone, through online communication services or during a personal visit to the clinic.