Vince, 24, has tried more conventional methods, like physiotherapy and ultrasound to help combat the injury over the past couple of months, but was introduced to ESWT (extra corporeal shockwave treatment) when it was revealed his body’s natural healing process had stalled.
Shockwave treatment is used extensively in Europe and the United States and is becoming increasingly popular in Australia.
The non-invasive procedure incorporates the use of shockwaves administered directly onto the affected area through a specialised machine.
The treatment is thought to promote healing in damaged tendons, whilst also providing pain relief by decreasing sensitivity in the surrounding nerves.
Vince sat out the Crows’ first training session of the week as a precautionary measure after having the cutting-edge procedure, but said he would be fit to take on Richmond at AAMI Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
“I’ve had a bit of hamstring tendonitis. I’ve had it for a fair while and have been managing it pretty well, but I had some shockwave treatment on Tuesday and you’re not meant to do much within 48 hours of having it, so it was all part of the plan,” Vince said on Wednesday.
“It’s a bit like interferential treatment (which involves electric stimulation), but instead they attach one big [transmitter] to your leg and it sends soundwaves through the tendon because my hamstring has stopped healing itself.
“It’s not a big issue. I’m just trying something different.”
Injured forward Chris Knights could also be a candidate for the procedure, which is said to be effective in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.
Vince’s hamstring tendonitis is unrelated to the pre-season glute/hamstring injury, which kept him sidelined for much of the club’s NAB Cup/Challenge campaign.
