Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2015; 28(06): 425-432
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-15-05-0084
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

High energy focused shock wave therapy accelerates bone healing

A blinded, prospective, randomized canine clinical trial
N. R. Kieves
1   Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Clinical Sciences
,
C. S. MacKay
2   Colorado State University, Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences
,
K. Adducci
1   Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Clinical Sciences
,
S. Rao
1   Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Clinical Sciences
,
C. Goh
1   Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Clinical Sciences
,
R. H. Palmer
1   Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Clinical Sciences
,
F. M. Duerr
1   Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Department of Clinical Sciences
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received:13 May 2015

Accepted:27 July 2015

Publication Date:
23 December 2017 (online)

Summary

Objectives: To evaluate the influence of shock wave therapy (SWT) on radiographic evidence of bone healing after tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO).

Methods: Healthy dogs between two to nine years of age that underwent TPLO were randomly assigned to receive either electro- hydraulic SWT (1,000 shocks) or sham treatment (SHAM). Treatment or SHAM was administered to the osteotomy site immediately postoperatively and two weeks postoperatively. Three blinded radiologists evaluated orthogonal radiographs performed eight weeks postoperatively with both a 5-point and a 10-point bone healing scale. Linear regression analysis was used to compare median healing scores between groups.

Results: Forty-two dogs (50 stifles) were included in the statistical analysis. No major complications were observed and all osteo -tomies healed uneventfully. The median healing scores were significantly higher at eight weeks postoperatively for the SWT group compared to the SHAM group for the 10-point (p <0.0002) and 5-point scoring systems (p <0.0001).

Clinical significance: Shock wave therapy applied immediately and two weeks post -operatively led to more advanced bone healing at the eight week time point in this study population. The results of this study support the use of electro-hydraulic SWT as a means of accelerating acute bone healing of canine osteotomies. Additional studies are needed to evaluate its use for acceleration of bone healing following fracture, or with delayed union.

 
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