Background: Characteristics of chronic rotator cuff tears include continuous loss of tendon structure as well as tendon elasticity, followed by a high failure rate after surgical reconstruction. Several studies have already shown the beneficial effect of extracorporeal
shockwave therapy (ESWT) on tissue regeneration in tendon pathologies.
Methods: After tendon detachment and 3 weeks of degeneration, a subsequent transosseous reattachment of the supraspinatus tendon was performed in 48 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 16 per group). Rodents were randomly assigned to 3 study groups: no ESWT/control group, intraoperative ESWT (IntraESWT), and intra- and postoperative ESWT (IntraPostESWT). Shoulder joint function, as determined by gait analysis, was assessed repeatedly during the observation period. Eight weeks after tendon reconstruction, the rats were euthanized, and biomechanical and gene expression analyses were performed.
Results: Macroscopically, all repairs were intact at the time of euthanasia, with no ruptures detectable. Biomechanical analyses showed significantly improved load-to-failure testing results in both ESWT groups in comparison with the control group (control, 0.629; IntraESWT, 1.102; IntraPostESWT, 0.924; IntraESWT vs control, P _ .001; IntraPostESWT vs control, P _ .05). Furthermore, functional gait analyses showed a significant enhancement in intensity measurements for the IntraPostESWT group in comparison with the control group (P _ .05). Gene expression analysis revealed no significant differences among the 3 groups.
Concusions: Clearly improved biomechanical results were shown in the single-application and repetitive ESWT groups. Furthermore, functional evaluation showed significantly improved intensity measurements for the repetitive ESWT group.
Beneficial effects of Spark Wave Therapy:
- Improved biomechanical stability
- Improved functionality
- Faster remobilization
- Accelerated return to work and sports activities
- Non-invasive
- Easy to perform
- No side effects, minimal risks
- Cost-effective
- New additional treatment possibility to prevent healing failure!
This study is of high clinical relevance in orthopaedic surgery. Based on these study results, a clinical study has already been initiated to clinically confirm the improved functionality by Spark Wave Therapy.
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