Extracorporal Shock Wave Treatment to Improve Nerve Regeneration

Extracorporeal shock wave treatment is CE certified in Austria, Europe and licensed for indications like achillodynia, epicondylitis, or tendinitis calcanea. The Orthogold 100 device by MTS Medical UG will be used for this study. Defocused low-energy extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has gained acceptance as a therapeutic tool in different medical settings. It has been shown, that shock waves stimulate of the metabolic activity of different cell type, including osteoblasts, tenocytes, endothelial cells and chondrocytes. Furthermore, it has proved effective in clinical applications relating to bone and wound healing and myocardial ischaemia. Until now, no studies have been performed regarding the effects of ESWT on regeneration of peripheral nerve injuries in humans.