The use of shock waves in medicine - a tool of the modern OR: an overview of basic physical principles, history and research

Extracorporeal-generated st-cock waves were first used in medical therapy, to disintegrate kidney stones, approximately 20 years ago. Since this time, shock waves have changed the treatment of urolithiasis substantially and a re now the first-choice treatment for kidney and ureteral stones. First cli nical investigations of the shock-wave treatment of Induratio Penis Plastic a (IPP)are showing promising results. Shock waves have also been used in or thopaedics and traumatology, to treat insertion tendinitis, non-unions or d elayed unions, avascular necrosis of the head of femur and other necrotic b one alterations. Shock-wave application has also been used in the treatment of horse tendons, ligaments and bones in veterinary medicine. The theory o f shock-wave therapy for orthopaedic diseases involves the stimulation of h ealing processes in tendons, surrounding tissue and bones. This is a comple tely different approach from that of urology, where shock waves are used fo r disintegration. This paper gives an overview of the basic physical princi ples of shock waves, and the history and basic research behind shock-wave u se in medicine.