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[Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy. Experimental basis, clinical application]
Der Orthopade
|March 1, 1997
Summary
Extracorporeal shock wave therapy shows promise for conditions like tennis elbow and pseudarthrosis, offering analgesic and bone-healing effects. While effective, high costs limit its widespread use as a last resort before surgery.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Orthopedics
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Tendinopathies and pseudarthroses represent significant clinical challenges.
- Current treatment options may be invasive or have limited efficacy.
- Extracorporeal shock waves (ESW) have emerged as a potential non-invasive therapeutic modality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate the dose-dependent effects of ESW on tendon and bone.
- To explore therapeutic applications of ESW for tendinopathies and pseudarthroses.
Main Methods:
- Animal experiments to assess ESW influence on biological tissues.
- Prospective clinical trials to evaluate ESW efficacy in human patients.
Main Results:
- ESW demonstrated both positive and negative effects in animal models, contingent on shock wave power and tissue condition.
- Positive clinical outcomes were observed in treating persistent tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, calcifying tendinitis, and pseudarthrosis.
- ESW induced analgesic, resorptive, and osteo-inductive reactions with minimal side effects.
Conclusions:
- Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is a viable, low-side-effect option for specific orthopedic conditions.
- High equipment and staffing costs currently restrict routine ESW application.
- ESW serves as a valuable alternative treatment prior to surgical intervention.