Non-invasive treatment of long-bone pseudarthrosis by shock waves (ESWL).
Non-invasive treatment of non-union of diaphyses by application of the shock waves known from lithotripsy has proved successful in three out of four cases. Two thousand shock waves with a single-wave energy of 18 kV were applied by the MFL 5000 and HM3 Lithotripters of the Dornier Medizintechnik Company with manual detection of the lesion. The shock waves induced a kind of callus formation in the non-union soft tissue within about 6 weeks, which was successfully maintained and transformed into bony union in all cases but one by dynamic fixation less rigid than a plaster cast. Four cases are documented and the effects of the shock waves and principles of bony union discussed.
Schleberger
R
R
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ruhr University Bochum, FRG.
Senge
T
T
D000328:Adult; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000628:therapy; D007223:Infant; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D011542:Pseudarthrosis / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D011859:Radiography