Costs of shock wave therapy

Although shock wave therapy is a much cheaper method than surgery, the costs are usually not covered by the statutory health insurance. The health insurance companies give different reasons for this. In some cases, however, the treatments are subsidized by the health insurance company.

This depends on the individual case and must be applied for at the health insurance company. The private health insurance companies, however, usually cover the costs of shock wave treatment in full. The costs of shock wave therapy are about 60 to 100€ per session and are in most cases paid by the patients themselves. The total costs are then about 200 to 300€ for an average of three sessions.

Complications

Serious complications are not to be feared if the shock wave is used properly. Typically, harmless swelling and bleeding (haematoma) may occur in the area of treatment. The following contraindications must be observed:

No application in the lung/chest area.
No application via nerves and vessels.
Not to be used for blood clotting disorders.

Criticism of shock wave therapy

Shockwave therapy is a therapy method that has not been conclusively investigated. The effect of the shock wave has been proven, but the mechanism leading to tissue reaction and thus to the success of the therapy is not fully known. Therefore, information about possible positive and negative interferences that could influence the therapeutic outcome is also missing.

Therefore the result of a shock wave therapy is also difficult to predict. Everything depends on whether the desired tissue reaction can be triggered or not. The remaining uncertainties in shock wave therapy are also reflected in its clinical application.

While there is a broad consensus on the clinical pictures that can be treated with shock wave therapy, the handling of the therapy is sometimes very different with regard to the optimal energy flux density (shock wave intensity), the pulse rate and the necessary therapy sessions. Another problem is that the statutory health insurance companies do not see an indication for treatment of calcified shoulder, pseudarthrosis (non-healing fractures), tennis elbow, Achilles tendonitis, and heel spur despite proven effectiveness and therefore do not cover the costs in these cases either. In the case of privately insured persons, treatment is usually possible without any problems after prior examination of the assumption of costs.