Successful use of extracorporeal shockwave therapy in sports-related non-diabetic chronic foot ulcers: a case report

Chronic foot ulcers, particularly in non-diabetic patients, pose significant challenges in wound healing, especially when conventional therapies fail.This case report explores the use of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in treating non-infectious, sportsrelated chronic ulcers.A 28-year-old male athlete presented with persistent foot ulcers for 2 months despite antibiotic therapy.Blood tests revealed normal levels of biomarkers of infection, and antibiotics were discontinued.ESWT was administered twice weekly for three weeks, totaling six sessions.By mid-treatment, significant reductions in ulcer size and inflammation severity were observed.Complete healing was achieved by the end of treatment, with no recurrence during a six-month follow-up period.ESWT demonstrated remarkable efficacy in resolving non-diabetic chronic foot ulcers without antibiotics.Its anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties suggest it as a promising alternative treatment for sports-related, non-infectious chronic wounds.