Shockwave therapy for tendinopathy?

Posted by lgerkin @lgerkin, Mar 14, 2022

I have bilateral high hamstring tendinopathy and have tried numerous treatments and exercises. I have scar tissue and some calcification on my ischial tuberosity and it's just not responding to treatment. I'm considering radial pulse shockwave therapy (specifically OrthoGold). Has anyone had luck with this treatment?

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Here is what Mayo Clinic has had to say about shockwave therapy, and what problems it seems effective for. https://www.mayoclinic.org/medical-professionals/physical-medicine-rehabilitation/news/sports-medicine-practitioners-embrace-benefits-of-extracorporeal-shock-wave-therapy/mac-20454275
And it appears that tendinopathies respond well to shockwave. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6029898/

So, I would say that if you have tried the most conservative treatments and are still suffering, it might be worth a try.
Will you let us know, by posting a report here, if you try it, and whther or not it helps?
Sue

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I have a similar condition (bilateral chronic hamstring calcific tendinopathy) and it was also suggested to try myo-fascial massage - any risks?

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@ron99

I have a similar condition (bilateral chronic hamstring calcific tendinopathy) and it was also suggested to try myo-fascial massage - any risks?

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Welcome @ron99, I haven't heard of any risks associated with Myofacial Release Therapy but I did find a list of very rare risks associated with MFR for certain people.

-- What Is Myofascial Release and Does It Work?: https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-pain/myofascial-release

There is a discussion that you may want to read through and meet other members who have used MFR -- Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/.

Have you looked into Myofascial Release Therapy?

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@johnbishop

Welcome @ron99, I haven't heard of any risks associated with Myofacial Release Therapy but I did find a list of very rare risks associated with MFR for certain people.

-- What Is Myofascial Release and Does It Work?: https://www.healthline.com/health/chronic-pain/myofascial-release

There is a discussion that you may want to read through and meet other members who have used MFR -- Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/.

Have you looked into Myofascial Release Therapy?

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Thanks so much for your helpful response. Going to try it in relation to the hamstring tendonitis i mentioned.

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I am currently using shockwave therapy at Mayo for both proximal hamstring tears and gluteal tendinitis with partial tears in both gluteus medius and minimus in both hips. I have had 2 treatments with another scheduled this week. Each appointment has been 1 week apart. It is not covered by insurance. I was told to try at least 3 times before deciding if it’s working or not. But I do feel it has helped somewhat so far. Not a significant huge improvement but definitely some. I will decide more after this week. Also have done myofacial release which has also helped a lot but probably the biggest improvement has come from PT in a warm water pool, and continuing doing these exercises in the pool 4 to 5 times a week.

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@carolasc

I am currently using shockwave therapy at Mayo for both proximal hamstring tears and gluteal tendinitis with partial tears in both gluteus medius and minimus in both hips. I have had 2 treatments with another scheduled this week. Each appointment has been 1 week apart. It is not covered by insurance. I was told to try at least 3 times before deciding if it’s working or not. But I do feel it has helped somewhat so far. Not a significant huge improvement but definitely some. I will decide more after this week. Also have done myofacial release which has also helped a lot but probably the biggest improvement has come from PT in a warm water pool, and continuing doing these exercises in the pool 4 to 5 times a week.

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I tried shockwave a d the only thing it did was put a big hole in my bank account. Way too expensive for all the good it did.

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