Shockwave Therapy for Stress Fractures
Focused shockwave therapy (fSWT) offers a non-invasive treatment option for stress fractures, helping to accelerate bone healing, reduce pain, improve blood flow, and improve function. When used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, including rest and activity modification, it can lead to faster recovery and a return to normal activities.
How does it work? | Treatment protocol | Benefits | When to consider fSWT
What are Stress Fractures?
Stress fractures are small cracks or severe bruising within a bone. They are often caused by repetitive force, overuse, high impact activity, or sudden increases in physical activity and are commonly seen in athletes, military personnel, and individuals with certain risk factors like osteoporosis. Stress fractures typically occur in weight-bearing bones such as the tibia (shinbone), metatarsals (foot bones), and femur (thighbone). They manifest with:
Collapsible content
Localised Pain
Usually worsening with activity and alleviated by rest.
Swelling
Possible swelling around the affected area.
Tenderness
The area over the fracture may be tender to touch.
If you think you have a stress fracture and would like some advice then book your FREE phone consultation online now, drop us an email or phone us on 07760 536155 for a quick chat.
How Focused Shockwave Therapy Treats Stress Fractures
- Reduces pain and inflammation
- Promotes tissue repair
- Breaks down fibrotic tissue
- Promotes bone healing
Book your FREE 30 minute phone consultation online now or drop us an email to find out more about how we can help.
Treatment Protocol for Stress Fractures
Typical Course
A course of shockwave therapy for a stress fracture usually involves 5 to 8 sessions, spaced about one week apart. Each session lasts 30 minutes. The exact number of sessions may vary depending on the severity of the condition and the client’s response to treatment.
Intensity And Frequency
The intensity and frequency of the shockwaves are carefully adjusted based on the client’s pain tolerance and the characteristics of the tendinopathy.
Minimal Downtime
Clients can usually resume normal activities immediately after treatment, although they will be advised to avoid strenuous or high-impact activities for a short period if possible.
Post-Treatment Sensation
Some clients may experience mild soreness or swelling in the treated area. This typically resolves within a few days.
Benefits of Shockwave Therapy for Stress Fractures
Non-Invasive
Focused shockwave therapy is a non-surgical treatment, avoiding the risks and recovery time associated with surgical intervention.
Effective Pain Relief
Many clients experience significant pain reduction after just a few sessions, improving their quality of life and ability to perform daily activities.
Accelerated Healing
The therapy promotes faster healing of the stress fracture, often reducing the overall recovery time compared to other treatments.
High Success Rate
Clinical studies and/or client outcomes indicate that shockwave therapy is highly effective in treating stress fractures, especially in cases where other traditional treatments have failed.
When to Consider Shockwave Therapy for Stress Fractures
Persistent pain is restricting function
If experiencing persistent pain that limits ability to resume activity or participate in rehabilitation.
Risk of complications
If at higher risk of complications due to factors such as poor bone density (osteoporosis), high activity levels, or metabolic conditions.
Continued pain or discomfort
If the stress fracture continues to cause pain or discomfort despite rest, modification of activity, or immobilisation.
Slow healing
If follow-up imaging shows minimal signs of healing or delayed recovery in the stress fracture.
History of condition
If you have a history of recurrent stress fractures and show signs of delayed healing in the current injury.
Focused shockwave therapy can accelerate bone healing, reduce pain, and improve circulation in the affected area, providing a non-invasive alternative to enhance recovery and reduce the time needed to return to normal activities, especially when traditional treatments have proven insufficient.
No commitment, pressure or obligation! Book your FREE 30 minute phone consultation online now or call us for a quick chat.
I had started to develop pain in the ball of my foot when I ran and then the pain continued when I walked. I went to the docs and got a diagnosis of a mortons neuroma. After trying various ways to manage the pain, I did some research and found Nim's focussed shockwave therapy. It was a tough commitment to come to 5 sessions in London when I live in Redcar (North East of England) but totally worth it. The pain I had when I run has gone and hopefully it won't come back as I start to increase my distance and frequency.
I 100% recommend Nim, she is such a lovely caring person and made me feel very comfortable during the treatment and also gave me plenty of good advice ☺️
I was struggling with bi-lateral achilles tendinopathy and retrocalcaneal bursitis which was impacting my ability to play sport. Over a number of sessions the Shockwave reduced the swelling, scar-tissue and most importantly the pain and both issues are now completely resolved. I also found Nim extremely professional and really nice to deal with. Recommended.
I tore my rotator cuff several years ago and despite all the physio the hospital gave me and pain injections I was still left sore and frustrated. It never seemed to heal properly and exercise aggravated it. My Osteopath recommended Shock Wave Therapy.
I can safely say (without exaggeration!) that the treatment with Nim has changed my life! I booked a course and Nim explained everything really clearly, I was skeptical because nothing else had worked. I’m so grateful to Nim because I can now move freely and get back to proper exercise!
I would highly recommend Nim and the Shock Wave Therapy treatment .
I had a bad run in with sciatica earlier this year and I cannot recommend Nim enough. I couldn't sit upright or walk for more than a few minutes at a time before the pain would make me have to lie flat again, so I booked here because it was close enough to my flat that I felt like I could probably hobble over.
I'm glad I did, because Nim was fantastic. I've seen a couple of other physios a few years ago for a hamstring issue and they'd usually do a couple of sessions of massage, recommend a couple of stretches and send me off. Nim preferred to try and work out the root of my problem from the first session and came up with a treatment plan that has worked fantastically and fixed a couple of other issues that weren't bad enough for me to seek treatment. I went from bedbound with pain to being able to do normal activities pain-free, which has been a huge relief.
Thank you Nim!
As a keen tennis player, I had been suffering from painful Achilles tendinopathy with bursitis for several frustrating months.
I had spent lots of money with many physios and tried numerous treatments without much success. I was running out of ideas!
Nim’s approach to my condition was very positive, knowledgeable and caring. She explained in detail the cause of my injury and we agreed a course of treatment.
After one or two sessions with Nim’s superb Focused Shockwave Therapy machine and physio the pain had dramatically reduced.
I am now on a programme of treatments and exercises with full recovery, at last, in sight.
For Focused Shockwave Therapy and physiotherapy, I highly recommend Nim. Thank you Nim!
