Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Motility, Puncture, Ultrasound, Musculoskeletal soft tissue
Authors:
G. Freire1, J. Morais1, L. Gargaté1, P. D. Afonso2; 1Loures/PT, 2Lisbon/PT
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2018/C-1722
Background
Ultrasound-guided EPI procedure is a simple technique which consists in the application of a galvanic current through tendons.
This produces a non-thermal electrochemical reaction on degenerated tissue,
leading to an inflammatory process,
increasing oxidative stress and cell death in the first days after treatment1.
This process enables fagocitosis,
leading to a faster tendon injury recovery,
with rapid regeneration2.
EPI technique has been used in sports medicine and in the treatment of several conditions such as patellar and Achilles tendinopathy and epicondylitis with favourable results3,
4.
Plantar fasciitis is the most common cause of heel pain and is normally treated with conservative options.
Ultrasound frequently shows thickening and hypoechoic echopattern of the proximal plantar fascia (fig.
1).