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[Effects of high-energy shock waves on the structure of the immature epiphysis--a histomorphological study]
K Nassenstein1, I Nassenstein, R Schleberger
1Institut für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie und Neuroradiologie, Universitätsklinikum Essen, Deutschland. kai.nassenstein@uni-essen.de
Aim:
Extracorporeal shock wave treatment of infantile skeleton diseases is theoretical reasonable. The aim of this study was to investigate if extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) may cause damage to the epiphysis within the energy range of human application doses.
Method:
18 rabbits were treated with 800 extracorporeal shock waves (Philips lithotripter LDM-E, energy density 0.32 mJ/mm(2)) at the proximal tibia epiphysis. At 72 hours, 14 days and 4 weeks each after shock wave application 6 rabbits were sacrificed.
Results:
Histological examination showed no damage to the epiphysis in all treated subjects.
Conclusion:
This experimental study demonstrates that, under the conditions used in human shock wave therapy, no damage to the rabbit epiphysis occurs.
