Song, Y., Che, X., Wang, Z., Li, M., Zhang, R., Wang, D., & Shi, Q. (2024). Augmentation of rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction using radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT). BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 25(57). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07177-8

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) in enhancing rehabilitation outcomes for patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Seventy-two patients were assigned to receive either standard rehabilitation with rESWT or with sham rESWT, measuring outcomes such as pain, joint function, and mobility. Significant short-term improvements were noted in the rESWT group at 3 and 6 weeks, though no long-term differences were observed at 24 weeks. The findings suggest that rESWT may benefit early ACLR rehabilitation by reducing pain and improving function.

Xuejiao Guo¹, Lin Li1,², Zhe Yan¹, Yunze Li¹, Zhiyou Peng¹, Yixin Yang¹, Yanfeng Zhang¹, Christoph Schmitz³, Zhiying Feng¹
_{1Department of Pain Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China; 2Department of Anesthesiology, Yuyao People Hospital of Zhejiang, Ningbo, China; 3Extracorporeal Shock Wave Research Unit, Chair of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany}

Successful treatment of a chronic nonspecific low back pain is a challenge. Should we use manual therapy? Drugs? How about radial extracorporeal shockwaves? In a recent study, Guo et al. tried to find out whether rESWT is more efficient in the management of chronic low back pain than a “drugs only” approach, using an NSAID and a skeletal muscle relaxant. They also searched for evidence if a combination of rESWT with  NSAIDs and skeletal muscle relaxants can represent a superior treatment option, as anecdotal evidence from physicians from Europe and Latin America is pointing at. What was the conclusion and how it may impact your everyday practice? Keep reading and find out.

Ya-Fei ZHANG, MD, Yang LIU, MD, Shao-Wen CHOU, MD and Hao WENG, PhD
From the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Aerospace Center Hospital, Beijing, China

This study highlights the dose-related effect of the KOA ESWT treatment, and emphasizes the importance of selecting devices that offer the highest energy density for the purpose of achieving the greatest clinical outcome! 

Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Schmitz
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Research Unit, Chair of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a well-investigated and commonly used treatment modality in remedying a variety of musculoskeletal disorders. Combining High Power 905nm laser treatment and ESWT may increase the beneficial use of ESWT in physical and rehabilitation medicine.

Lohrer H, SchÖll J, Arentz S
Sportverl Sportschad 2002; 16: 108-114

"Achillodynia and patellar tip syndrome - results of the treatment of fully treated chronic cases with radial shock waves." (Study in German)