EFFECT OF LOW-DOSE SHOCK-WAVE ENERGY ON FRACTURE-HEALING - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY

The hypothesis that shock waves in low dose and at a low energy level can enhance bone healing was tested in a rabbit model by a fibula osteotomy and a drilled hole in the tibia. In this study, the shock wave dose (80-240 shocks at 14 kV) was chosen below the threshold of a necrotizing effect. As criteria of effect, we studied the early healing pattern of normal (fibula osteotomy) and delayed (tibia defect) bone healing. For this purpose, X-ray evaluation, breaking strength, as well as the collagen and calcium content of newly formed callus was determined in treated and untreated fractures. Within the observation period of up to 25 days, our experiments did not reveal any promotion of fracture healing by shock wave treatment in the chosen energy range.