title: A volleyball player with bilateral knee osteochondritis dissecans treated with extracorporeal shock wave therapy.
abstract: We present a case report of a 14-year-old Caucasian sport woman affected by bilateral and symmetrical knee osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) addressed to surgery, in which extracorporeal shock wave therapy determined complete healing. Shock wave is a longitudinal acoustic wave traveling with the speed of ultrasound through the water of the body tissue. Recently, this therapy has been used in the treatment of a number of musculoskeletal pathologies on the basis of the effects produced by the induction of angiogenesis, recruitment of progenitor cells and downregulation of cartilage damage. This therapy is useful, because it is non-invasive, safe, without complications or adverse effects and repeatable. Thus, it could be suggested as a useful strategy for the treatment of OCD prior starting surgery.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedics Section, Department of Clinical Methodology and Surgical Technique, University of Bari, Bari, Italy. b.moretti@ortop2.uniba.it
authors.forename: Biagio
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Notarnicola
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moretti
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Patella
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002370:Casts, Surgical; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000528:radiation effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010008:Osteochondritis Dissecans / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D054798:Volleyball / Q000293:injuries*