title: Can Shockwave Therapy Improve Tendon Metabolism?
abstract: Shockwave treatments are commonly used in the management of tendon injuries and there is increasing evidence for its clinical effectiveness. There is a paucity of fundamental (in vivo) studies investigating the biological action of shockwave therapy. Destruction of calcifications, pain relief and mechanotransduction-initiated tissue regeneration and remodeling of the tendon are considered to be the most important working mechanisms. The heterogeneity of systems (focussed shockwave therapy vs. radial pressurewave therapy), treatment protocols and study populations, and the fact that there seem to be responders and non-responders, continue to make it difficult to give firm recommendations with regard to the most optimal shockwave therapy approach. Specific knowledge with regard to the effects of shockwave therapy in patients with metabolic tendon disorders is not available. Further fundamental and clinical research is required to determine the value of shockwave therapy in the management of tendinopathy.
authors.affiliation: Center for Sports Medicine, UMC Groningen, 30.001, 9700 RB, Groningen, The Netherlands. j.zwerver@sport.umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zwerver
authors.affiliation: Centre for Hip, Health and Mobility, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Waugh
authors.affiliation: Center for Sports Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Henk
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van der Worp
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D040542:Mechanotransduction, Cellular; D059408:Pain Management; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000628:therapy*; D013710:Tendons / Q000378:metabolism*
keywords: Mechanotransduction; Pain relief; Pressurewave therapy; Tendinopathy – Shockwave therapy; Tissue regeneration; Working mechanism