[Application of extracorporeal shock-wave therapy (ESWT) in delayed unions and non-unions]

Nonunion remains a major complication after skeletal trauma. In the last decade, extracorporeal shock wave therapy has become a common tool for the treatment of delayed unions or non-unions. With the help of a review of the literature, the current author gave an overview of indications, choices of devices, success rates and complications for ESWT in the treatment of non-unions. The conceivable mechanism was also outlined.