Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026
A Treatment Protocol for Achilles Tendinopathy with Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy
Published on: August 2, 2024
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy as a key component of interdisciplinary wound management in diabetic foot syndrome :
Richard Crevenna1,2,3, Zoltan Vass4, Michael Mickel5,6
1Department of Physical Medicine, Rehabilitation and Occupational Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, University Hospital General Hospital Vienna, Vienna Healthcare Group, Vienna, Austria. richard.crevenna@meduniwien.ac.at.
Background:
A 57-year-old male patient presented with the first manifestation of severe type 2 diabetes mellitus in the setting of diabetic foot syndrome complicated by osteomyelitis.
Methods:
The patient was treated conservatively within a multimodal interdisciplinary approach. In addition, focused extracorporeal shockwave therapy (fESWT) was performed according to International Society for Medical Shockwave Treatment (ISMST)-oriented principles.
Results:
After five sessions of fESWT, local wound management resulted in extraction of a relevant bony sequestrum. Following sequestrum removal, a large wound cavity remained in the region of the right first toe (digitus I pedis), corresponding approximately to the size of an entire phalanx. Remarkably, within only 4 days, rapid and substantial granulation of the deep wound cavity was observed.
Conclusion:
The present case supports the hypothesis that focused ESWT may represent a clinically relevant adjunctive treatment option in selected patients with diabetic foot syndrome and complicated wound healing disorders. At the same time, it highlights the need for prospective randomized controlled trials.
