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.

Keywords: Mechanotransduction; Pain relief; Pressurewave therapy; Tendinopathy – Shockwave therapy; Tissue regeneration; Working mechanism.