Hip bursitis (commonly referred to as Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome or GTPS) is an excruciatingly painful condition of the hip caused by inflammation of your bursa, an oil-filled sac situated over bony prominences that protects them against friction between bones and soft tissues.
Shock wave therapy utilizes energy impulses to increase blood circulation and break down scar tissue. Furthermore, shock wave therapy can break up tendon calcification and loosen muscle knots.
What is ESWT?
ESWT is a noninvasive, painless procedure that uses sound waves to accelerate your body’s natural healing process. This treatment method involves placing a hand-held ultrasound gel device over an injured area and emitting shockwaves deep into affected tissue to increase blood flow and oxygen levels for faster healing of injuries – leading to improved blood flow, oxygen levels, new tissue formation and subsequent healing processes. ESWT can be effective against several orthopedic conditions, including hip bursitis.
Not only can the hip bursa cause discomfort on the outside of your hip joint, but other structures may contribute too, including your gluteal tendons (gluteus medius and gluteus minimus). They may become irritated or degenerated from numerous factors and needing prompt treatment in order to stay in good condition; shockwave therapy may help treat these tendon conditions to reduce hip pain.
The intensity of shockwaves may differ for each individual; most describe it as uncomfortable rather than painful. Location also plays an important role, with areas lacking muscle or fat such as hip bones being particularly responsive – thus making treatment very effective in relieving hip bursitis, as well as heel pain and tendon injuries in knees and ankles.
Clinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of ESWT as a treatment option to alleviate hip bursitis pain quickly and permanently, particularly when combined with physical rehabilitation programs. One research project conducted showed that patients receiving focused shockwave therapy alongside exercise achieved an outstanding Roles and Maudsley score after 12 months – an indicator of pain levels.
Before commencing shockwave therapy, it is vitally important that a specialist physiotherapist conduct a full assessment on your injury and ascertain which structure (hip bursa or another) is the cause. They will then recommend the appropriate course of treatment; in certain instances they may recommend having an ultrasound scan completed first if necessary.
How does ESWT work?
ESWT uses mechanical force to stimulate healing by stimulating cellular responses that will promote healing in various body tissues, particularly soft tissues such as tendons that lack adequate blood flow to speed their recovery. Shock waves stimulate metabolism and vascular response, increasing oxygen flow directly to injured areas.
As well as increasing circulation, shock waves may also help break down calcifications that accumulate in hip bursa or other joints – providing pain relief from hip bursitis or other joint conditions.
Treatment can also block the body’s production of pain-inducing substances, thus relieving chronic hip pain and inflammation. Analgesia means it reduces pain-causing chemicals in your system while blocking nerve receptors to lessen pain perception; making this approach an excellent alternative to surgery which may have serious side effects.
Research has also demonstrated the ability of ESWT to stimulate new tissue growth and bone healing, improving its structural integrity as a result. This is particularly relevant when treating hip cartilage which has degraded due to hip bursitis. Researchers found that high-energy ESWT caused changes to hyaline cartilage on both molecular and ultrastructural levels similar to what can occur early stages of osteoarthritis (OA).
Traditional treatments focus on treating symptoms while EPAT takes an alternative approach by increasing blood flow and encouraging tissue regeneration – this makes EPAT highly effective at relieving pain and restoring mobility in those suffering from hip bursitis.
Patients typically report minimal discomfort during their sessions and often experience instantaneous results. Mild bruising, swelling or soreness in the treated area may persist post-treatment; this generally dissipates over time.
ESWT may vary in its effects, but many people with hip bursitis report significant pain relief and improved mobility after just one session of ESWT. When used alongside other physical therapies and lifestyle modifications, the benefits can last months or even a year.
How long does ESWT take?
ESWT typically requires three sessions to experience its benefits. Treatment sessions will usually be administered outpatient, and as this procedure does not require anesthesia you will remain awake during each treatment session. You may experience some discomfort at the treatment site but this usually is not painful; for those with lower pain tolerance it may be beneficial to use numbing cream on affected areas for additional comfort.
At each session, your practitioner will place an applicator over the area being treated and press a button, producing radial shock waves which penetrate tissue up to 4 or 5 cm into depth and are designed to break down scar tissue, promote tissue regeneration and relieve pain. This treatment method can be used effectively against various tendon, muscle and joint conditions including tennis elbow, chronic shoulder rotator cuff syndrome and Achilles tendonitis. Studies have revealed exceptional results.
ESWT therapy’s main objective is to alleviate hip pain and restore functionality, making it a good option for patients who have not found relief with more traditional approaches like rest, physical therapy or medication. Furthermore, ESWT may prevent future episodes of hip bursitis by strengthening affected tendons and muscles.
Researchers conducted a recent study, wherein they demonstrated how radial ESWT can provide immediate pain relief to people suffering from greater trochanteric bursitis. Furthermore, ESWT proved even more effective than commonly prescribed medications; those who had already attempted other therapies experienced significant reductions in discomfort using ESWT therapy.
Recent research has uncovered evidence of greater trochanteric bursitis being more than simply inflammation of the hip bursa; recent findings show it can also involve overstrain of surrounding tendons and fascia that, over time, could result in small tears or ruptures to hip tendons – something activity can aggravate further and contribute to chronic hip pain.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy is an effective and safe solution for treating hip bursitis. Unlike traditional treatments, such as surgery or pain medication, Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy doesn’t involve either of these interventions; its painless procedure is completed quickly with long-term benefits for most patients.
What is the cost of ESWT?
ESWT costs vary depending on the type of therapy you receive; focused shockwave therapy usually costs more than radial shockwave treatment as it targets deeper tissues. Furthermore, multiple sessions required to achieve full relief from hip bursitis will have an impact on overall costs; many clinics offer discounts or package deals for multiple sessions to make ESWT more cost-effective and accessible to more people. It should also be noted that hip bursitis is typically not covered by insurance plans.
Shockwave therapy treatments must be paid for out-of-pocket. However, its long-term benefits of reduced pain and increased mobility far outweigh this initial investment – often serving to avoid surgery or reduce long-term medication requirements altogether.
ESWT goes beyond traditional treatments by targeting the source of your hip discomfort rather than simply masking its symptoms. Its non-invasive technology stimulates your body’s natural healing processes to provide improved mobility and long-term pain relief – with quicker recovery times than surgical procedures and no need for long-term medication prescription.
Hip bursitis is caused by irritation or injury to the iliotibial band (ITB), which runs from your lower leg up into your greater trochanter of your hip. It’s commonly referred to as “greater trochanteric pain syndrome” or “hip bursitis.” Symptoms typically include pain, tenderness and swelling over the outer hip area. Pain usually worsens when walking up/down stairs or standing from sitting position.
Hip bursitis can lead to loss of range of motion in your hip. Additionally, it may lead to an inactive lifestyle and increase your risk for obesity, metabolic syndrome and chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes. Furthermore, this condition can make daily activities such as climbing stairs or driving difficult or impossible altogether. If left untreated, hip bursitis could have devastating consequences.
Shockwave therapy is an effective solution for hip bursitis, offering energy directly into tissues for healing and pain reduction by breaking down scar tissue, decreasing inflammation and increasing blood flow.
