The effect of extracorporeal shock waves on joint cartilage - an in vivo study in rabbits

The application of extracorporeal shock waves has become a new mode of trea tment for affections of the locomotor apparatus such as calcifying tendinit is, epicondylitis humeri radialis, calcaneodynia and pseudarthrosis, The tr eatment often takes place in the vicinity of joints, Up to now no systemati c data have been published about possible side-effects on joint cartilage. III an in vivo study the effect of extracorporeal shock waves on joint cart ilage was evaluated in 24 immature New Zealand White rabbits. The left late ral femoral condyle of each animal was treated with 2000 shock waves of 1.2 mJ/mm(2); the right condyle served as control. Macroscopical, radiological and histological analysis at 0, 3, 12 and 24 weeks after treatment showed no pathological changes in the joint cartilage. We conclude that extracopor eal shock wave treatment does not cause damage to the joint cartilage of gr owing rabbits.