The application of extracorporeal shock waves in the locomotor apparatus offers new therapeutic concepts. This book provides an up-to-date overview on the use of shock waves in orthopaedics. The main emphasis is laid on the basics of shock wave techniques and on the impact of shock waves on cells and organs. The reader is provided with a summary of experimental and clinical results of shock wave therapy applied to the bone and the epiphyseal growth plate. Authors from five clinical centres report on their experiences with shock wave therapy in tendinosis calcarea, epicondylopathy and calcar spur. Furthermore they report on first experiences with shock wave therapy in children with cerebral paresis.

I General Overview

1 Review
2 Shock Wave Technology
II Animal Experiments and Clinical Experiences in Shock Wave Treatment of the Bone
3 Effect of Extracorporeal Shock Waves on Bone: A Review of Shock Wave Experiments and the Mechanism of Shock Wave Action
4 The Influence of Shock Waves on Epiphysial Growth Plates: First Results of an In-vivo Study with Rabbits
5 Osteorestoration via Shock Wave Application. A new Possibility of Treating Disturbed Bone Union
6 Extracorporeal Shock Waves in the Treatment of Pseud-arthrosis, Tendinosis Calcarea of the Shoulder, and Calcaneal Spur
7 Clinical Experience with Shock Wave Therapy of Pseud-arthrosis, Delayed Fracture Healing, and Cement-Free Endoprosthesis Loosening
8 Results with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Bone and Soft Tissue Pathologies
III The Application of Shock Wave Therapy in Tendopathies and Tendinosis Calcarea
9 The Orthopaedic Shock Wave Therapy in the Treatment of Chronic Insertion Tendopathy and Tendinosis Calcarea
10 Ultrasound-guided Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy of Tendinosis Calcarea of the Shoulder, of Symptomatic Plantar Calcaneal Spur (Heel Spur) and of Epicondylopathia Radialis et Ulnaris
11 Course Observations after Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (ESWT) in Cases of Pain in the Locomotor System with Circumscribed Localization
12 The German Extracorporeal Shock Wave Society (DGST)
13 Therapy-Resistant Insertion Tendinosis: Indication for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy or Surgery?
IV Further Fields of Application
14 The Use of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Fronts for Treatment of Muscle Dysfunction of Various Etiologies: An Overview of First Results
15 Treatment of Neuromuscular Dysfunction in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy by Extracorporeal Unfocused Shock Waves.