The funny thing about practice is how our kids often see it differently than we do. My son recently told my wife he thinks I’m a YouTuber—because all he hears about are the videos and shorts I create. Truth is, I still love the clinic, but the videos bring variety and joy.

Beyond family humor, today’s episode dives into a practical question from a colleague: Which shockwave machine should you buy? I break down radial, focused, and SoftWave devices—not just their costs, but their strengths, limitations, and the finesse required to use them well. It’s not just about the machine; it’s about setting patient expectations and growing confidence with the technology.

Key Takeaways

• ​ Radial shockwave covers 80% of podiatry needs and is budget-friendly for startups.
• ​ Focused shockwave is the “workhorse” for bone, insertional tendinopathies, and nonunions.
• ​ Patient outcomes often depend more on how we set expectations than on which device we use.

SEO Keywords: podiatry shockwave therapy, radial vs focused shockwave, SoftWave podiatry, practice startup equipment, podiatry business pearls

Episode Timestamps

• ​ 00:00 — Why my kids think I’m a YouTuber
• ​ 04:22 — A colleague’s question: which shockwave device to buy?
• ​ 07:50 — Radial devices: cost, uses, and patient expectations
• ​ 12:10 — Focused shockwave: why I call it the “workhorse”
• ​ 17:20 — SoftWave pros and cons for podiatry practice
• ​ 23:05 — Patient case: navicular pain resolved with focused shockwave
• ​ 28:40 — Lessons on setting patient expectations and timing outcomes
• ​ 34:15 — Daily practice pearls: pre-surgical discussions, x-rays, and shoe talks
• ​ 45:20 — Review systems: why I switched from Clara back to Swell