Shockwave Therapy and Knee Osteoarthritis

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is the external application of high intensity sound energy.  This type of treatment has been applied to kidney stones, fractures, tendonitis and now osteoarthritis.   Two preclinical studies published today suggest this technique may be promising.

Two different models of knee osteoarthritis were utilized.  One involves cutting the ACL, the other creates a cartilage defect in the knee.  Both of these studies suggest shockwave therapy may have value in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.  Appropriate human clinical trials still need to be conducted.


AM

Here are the two studies:

Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2012 Jun 6. 

Does Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Enhance Healing of Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Rabbit Knee?: A Pilot Study.

Lyon R, Liu XC, Kubin M, Schwab J.

Conclusions

Shockwave therapy "accelerated the healing rate and improved cartilage and subchondral bone quality in the OCD (osteochondritis dissecans) rabbit model.

Link to full abstract

Journal of Surgical Research

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy shows time-dependent chondroprotective effects in osteoarthritis of the knee in rats

Ching-Jen Wang, MD

, 

Yi-Chih Sun, BS

, 

To Wong, MD

, 

Shan-Ling Hsu, MD

, 

Wen-Yi Chou, MD

, 

Hsueh-Wen Chang, PhD

• Conclusion

  "Extracorporeal shockwave therapy is effective in preventing osteoarthritis of the knee in rats. The beneficial effects of ESWT appear to be time-dependent beginning at 4 weeks after treatment."
  Link to full abstract