It is essential to clearly distinguish the capabilities and inherent limitations of radial shockwave therapy when evaluating its clinical applications.
An output level of 200 mJ in radial shockwave systems represents a relatively high value within this modality; however, it does not equate to the therapeutic characteristics of focused shockwave therapy. Radial shockwave therapy is primarily indicated for superficial soft-tissue conditions and myofascial disorders, whereas focused shockwave therapy is specifically designed to address deep tissue structures and intraosseous or orthopedic pathologies.
Physical Characteristics of Radial Shockwaves. Radial shockwaves are generated at the applicator tip and propagate into tissue as diverging pressure waves without a focal point. As a result, the energy density decreases rapidly with depth due to geometric dispersion and tissue attenuation. Even at higher nominal energy values (e.g., 200 mJ), the effective therapeutic depth of radial shockwaves is physiologically limited and typically does not exceed 2-4 cm, depending on tissue composition and treatment technique.
Limitations of Quantitative Output Parameters. Unlike focused shockwave systems, radial shockwave therapy lacks standardized, tissue-referenced metrics for energy delivery and clinical effectiveness:
- Bar values represent pneumatic system pressure and do not directly correspond to energy deposition in biological tissue
- mJ values describe mechanical impact energy at the applicator, without accounting for dispersion and tissue losses
- Hz reflects pulse repetition frequency rather than therapeutic efficacy
At present, there is no universally accepted standard for quantifying absorbed energy, depth-dependent energy distribution, or attenuation profiles in radial shockwave therapy comparable to those established in laser or ultrasound-based modalities.
Clinically Relevant Performance Parameters. Given these limitations, meaningful differentiation between radial shockwave systems should be based not on nominal output values but on operational and biomechanical performance characteristics that influence clinical outcomes.
Key parameters include:
- Pulse-to-pulse energy stability across extended treatment sessions
- Durability of the impact generation mechanism and maintenance of output consistency over time
- Applicator geometry and diameter, influencing surface energy distribution and pressure gradients
- Energy coupling efficiency at the tissue interface and attenuation behavior within superficial layers
- Reproducibility of the effective penetration depth under clinical conditions
The clinical effectiveness of radial shockwave therapy is determined not solely by device specifications but by the interaction between system performance, parameter selection, and operator technique. Consistency, reliability, and predictability of output are therefore critical factors in real-world physiotherapy and sports medicine applications.
Rather than emphasizing historical legacy or abstract performance claims, the presented systems are evaluated as practical clinical tools, designed to deliver repeatable and predictable therapeutic effects under routine clinical conditions.