ISMST · ESWT Certification Course · Clinical Module 6
Shockwave Therapy for Elbow, Wrist & Hand Conditions
Discover how Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) supports recovery in hand, wrist, and elbow disorders, promoting pain relief, tissue regeneration, and functional restoration.
Co-authored and validated by: Dr. Sergej Thiele & Prof. Karsten Knobloch · part of the official ISMST–ESWT online certification faculty
Get certified
One-time payment · €599 incl. VAT · 12 months full access
ISMST-certified curriculum
One module of the official ISMST–ESWT online certification course.
Led by Thiele & Knobloch
Co-authored and validated by Dr. Sergej Thiele & Prof. Karsten Knobloch.
Interactive clinical cases
22 chapters with 11 interactive activities and self-assessment checks.
Evidence-based
Recommendations anchored in published clinical research, free of industry bias.
What you’ll learn
From tennis elbow to carpal tunnel syndrome
In this module, you will explore the application of ESWT for elbow, wrist, and hand pathologies — common causes of pain, disability, and reduced dexterity in daily life and work. Conditions such as lateral and medial epicondylopathy, trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), Dupuytren's disease, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, and Kienböck's disease are often chronic and may resist conventional treatments like splinting, physiotherapy, or corticosteroid injections.
ESWT offers a non-invasive, repeatable, and joint-preserving therapeutic option that can reduce pain, stimulate tissue repair, and improve functional outcomes. This positioning — between conservative care and surgical intervention — is stated here once and applies throughout the section.
Taught at physician level — structured clinical evidence, treatment rationale and interactive case examples, not device marketing.
After this module you will be able to:
- Identify the most common elbow, wrist and hand pathologies suitable for ESWT and their clinical features
- Explain the physiological mechanisms through which ESWT promotes healing and functional recovery
- Justify the use of ESWT based on current clinical and mechanistic evidence in upper limb pathologies
- Discuss patient selection, safety considerations, and treatment planning for the integration of ESWT into elbow, wrist and hand therapy
Inside the module
4 guided study units, chapter by chapter
Every chapter combines concise clinical text with imagery, interactive elements and knowledge checks. Here is what module 6 covers — the full teaching is inside the course.
Understanding Wrist and Hand Pathologies
EtiologyThe ScaphoidKienbock's DiseaseTrigger FingerDupuytren's DiseaseCarpal Tunnel Syndrome
Diagnostics to Treatment
OverviewDiagnosticsDifferential DiagnosticsESWT Treatment Goals
Empirical Evidence
Evidence for ESWT in Hand & Wrist PathologiesComparisons to other modalitiesBenefitsLimitations
Understanding Elbow Pathologies
Overview of Elbow PathologiesDefinitions and EtiologyRisk FactorsDiagnostics for ESWTBiological MechanismTreatment ProtocolsEWST and Other ModalitiesTreatment Goals
From the evidence
A taste of what the module teaches
3–5%
Of the general population is affected by carpal tunnel syndrome — the most common peripheral nerve entrapment disorder worldwide, striking women at over three times the rate of men. The module maps its epidemiology and where shockwave therapy fits before surgical release.
Kim et al., 20121–3%
Of adults develop lateral epicondylitis ("tennis elbow") each year, most often between ages 35 and 55. Histopathology shows degenerative — not inflammatory — change, which explains why anti-inflammatory approaches fall short and why ESWT is now a guideline-listed second-line therapy.
Shiri et al., 2006Watch the experts at work
Treatment demonstrations, step by step
Every clinical module includes video demonstrations by the ISMST faculty — on real patients and in the WaveVision VR environment. No VR headset required.
Epicondylitis pain — focused shockwaves · Dr. Sergej ThieleFull video available inside the course
Treat the elbow, wrist and hand with confidence — get ISMST-certified.
Introductory price · approx. $699€599 one-time · VAT included · 12 months access
Get certified
For medical professionals · eligibility confirmed at registration · includes the complete certification course with all 10 clinical modules, foundations and exam · see the full course
Page last updated: 25 August 2026