What side effects can shockwave cause?

What reactions are described?

A treated area may be more sensitive after shockwave. In the Dutch guideline on fasciopathy plantar include pain, redness, swelling and bruising. These are findings in a particular application; you cannot conclude that each treatment gives the same reaction.

Make a distinction between a familiar pain that is temporarily increasing and a new symptom with a different character. A clear change in feeling, function or appearance deserves a description. It hurts more than I can hardly turn off since the treatment, and it could have.

Moreover, the fact that a reaction is known does not mean that you have to endure it indefinitely without consultation. Severity and duration also determine whether the treatment plan should be reviewed.

post-treatment soreness is not proof of better recovery

A widely heard thought is that the body must first be strongly stimulated to recover. This sometimes leads to the expectation that more post-treatment soreness is better. That reasoning does not provide a reliable way to assess a treatment outcome.

Appraisal should be about your functioning in time. Can you perform the same activity better later, keep the response manageable and move towards the agreed goal? A temporary increase in pain may occur in addition to improvement, but should not be automatically explained as a positive result.

Nor is the absence of post-treatment soreness proof that the treatment has done nothing. It is therefore more useful to register what you feel and then do so to draw a conclusion about tissue repair from every sensation.

What influences the safety balance?

The place of treatment, the technique and your medical history count. The ISMST describes safety limitations that depend on the treatment area and application. There is therefore no short list that allows you to exclude all risks without further assessment.

Tell about relevant conditions, implants, pregnancy or a possible pregnancy and medication that may affect bleeding. Also indicate if you easily get large bruises or if the feeling in the area is reduced. The controller must determine which information affects the choice.

Do not stop medication on your own initiative to allow treatment. If adjustment is found necessary, it should be discussed through the responsible prescriber. Safety is not a reason to create a different medical risk without consultation.

Record the reaction without constant monitoring

A short overview helps with contact with the clinician:

You don't have to test the area hard every time to see if it still hurts. Repeated provoking often gives little extra information. A few obvious observations about normal activities are more useful.

When a discoloration is visible, a photo can help for your own comparison. It doesn't replace an assessment if your symptoms are severe or increase.

When are you gonna contact me?

Contact us if the reaction is clearly stronger than discussed, unexpectedly increases or your functioning is remarkably limited. Also new sensational changes, severe swelling or extensive bruising should be discussed. Do not wait until the next scheduled session.

Sudden power loss or acute change after a good looks sensation should be assessed as a new symptom, not automatically as normal post-pain. If you have serious symptoms, you will seek medical help in time via the appropriate healthcare route. The clinician should make clear in advance how to make that choice.

In contact, describe what has changed and what you can do. A concrete report makes it easier to determine whether telephone advice is sufficient or whether an investigation is necessary.

What does a side effect mean for the follow-up?

A reaction may be a reason to adjust the execution, postpone an appointment or reconsider the treatment plan. It doesn't always have to mean that shockwave is permanently dropping. The reverse is also not self-evident because the sequence has already started.

In addition to the response, discuss the possible yield. When you notice little benefit and each treatment causes a lot of discomfort, the consideration changes. Tolerability is part of meaningful care, not an exam you have to pass.

After an adjustment, ask what response is expected and when the result is re-evaluated. Thus, the decision remains based on your development, with room to adjust the plan.