Radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy for heterotopic ossification

[Purpose] To report the effects of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (RSWT) on heterotopic ossification (HO). [Subjects and Methods] Two cases of neurogenic HO in the upper extremity were administered RSWT using the MASTER PLUS(®) MP 2000 (Storz, Tägerwilen, Switzerland) and ultrasonographic guidance. The RSWT protocol consisted of 3,000 pulses at a frequency of 12 Hz during each treatment. The intensity level ranged from 2-5 bars, and it was administered 5 times a week for 4 weeks, a total of 20 treatments. [Results] RSWT improved pain, range of motion, and hand function in 2 patients with neurogenic HO in the upper extremity. [Conclusion] Further studies are needed to support these results and to understand the mechanism and to devise the protocol of RSWT for neurogenic HO.