Shockwave Therapy - something new in pain relief. This
was the topic at the Sunday, May 20 meeting of the Pattaya City Expats Club.
The speaker was Dr. Suttaporn Rattanapanop, M.D., from Bangkok Hospital
Pattaya. Dr. Suttaporn’s specialty is Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
He received his Doctorate of Medicine in 1991 from Pramongutlao College of
Medicine and in 2001 received his Diplomate from the Thai Board of
Rehabilitation Medicine, Siriraj Hospital. Further, he has also been a
Training Fellow in Cardiac Rehabilitation and is a member of the Thai
Medical Council.
After being introduced by MC
Richard Silverberg, Dr. Suttaporn Rattanapanop, M.D., from Bangkok Hospital
Pattaya, began his talk of shockwave therapy by defining the technology and
illustrating its uses.
After being introduced by Master of Ceremonies Richard
Silverberg, Dr. Suttaporn began his talk about shockwave therapy; a
relatively new treatment option in orthopedic and rehabilitation medicine.
He began by explaining that the medical use of shock waves started in
Germany. They were used to disintegrate kidney stones precluding the need
for surgery. Although the use of shockwaves to treat tendon related pain
began in the early 1990s, it required the use of an operating room and
anesthesia. Now there is a relatively new procedure in the use of shockwave
therapy that can be done without anesthesia on an outpatient basis.
This newer form of shock wave therapy has been found to
be very effective in relieving pain and improving the healing process. The
shockwaves cause inflammation in the area, which results in the body sending
healing cells as well as an increase the blood flow to the injured area. He
explained that a clinical shockwave is nothing more than a controlled
explosion that creates a sonic pulse, much like an airplane breaking the
sound barrier.
A fortunate Pattaya City
Expats Club member undergoes a free shockwave treatment for a stiff knee,
courtesy of Bangkok Hospital Pattaya.
Using diagrams, Dr. Suttaporn described the machine and
how it is used on various parts of the body. Shockwaves are used to treat
many orthopedic conditions, including plantar fasciitis (heel spurs),
patellar tendinitis (jumper’s knee), lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow),
medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow) and shoulder tendinitis.
A probe is placed on the area of greatest tenderness and
the shockwaves are delivered over several minutes. Sometimes, there can be
some discomfort at the treatment site. The patient is able to advise the
doctor if there is any discomfort so the intensity of the shockwave can be
changed, if needed.
Patients are usually treated with 3 to 5 sessions about a
week apart. Although some patients report immediate pain relief, the healing
response usually takes a few weeks. Dr. Suttaporn said that the treatment is
also available in the USA and it is his understanding it costs about US$200
or more per session. At Bangkok Hospital Pattaya, the charge is about 1,250
baht per session.
Pattaya Players chairman
Chris Parsons invites PCEC members to the players newest presentation, ‘Play
On’, on Friday June 1 and Saturday June 2. This introspective comedy starts
at 7, with dinner before at 5 p.m. More details at www. pattayaplayers.org.
In concluding his presentation, he said that they had
brought the machine to demonstrate on anyone wishing to volunteer. There
were three or four volunteers that gave it a try - with some comments heard
afterward that it did bring some pain relief.
During the meeting, a nurse from the hospital was
providing free blood pressure checks for members and guests and Richard
updated everyone on upcoming events. He then called on Roy Albiston to
conduct the always interesting and lively Open Forum where questioned are
asked and answered about expat living in Thailand; Pattaya in particular.
The Pattaya City Expats Club meets every Sunday at the
Amari Orchid’s Tavern by the Sea Restaurant. Read more about the Club’s
activities on their website at www. pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
