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Biological effects of extracorporeal shockwave in bone healing: a study in rabbits

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Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Introduction

This study is an investigation of the biological effects of extracorporeal shockwave treatment (ESWT) on bone healing in a rabbit model.

Materials and methods

Sixteen 12-month-old New Zealand white rabbits with body weight ranging from 2.5 to 3.5 kg were used in the study. An intra-medullary pin was inserted retrograde into the femur canal. A closed fracture of the femur was created with a three-point bend method. The animals were randomly divided into the study group and the control group with eight rabbits in each group. The study group received shockwave treatment, whereas the control group did not. The animals were killed at 12 weeks, and a 5-cm long femur bone including the callus was harvested. The specimens were subjected to biomechanical study, histomorphological examination, and immunohistochemical analysis.

Results

The shockwave group showed significantly better bone strength in biomechanical study, more cortical bone formation in histomorphological examination and higher number of neo-vessels and angiogenic and osteogenic growth markers including VEGF, eNOS, PCNA, and BMP-2 on immunohistochemical stains than the control group.

Conclusion

ESWT significantly improved bone healing after fracture of the femur in rabbit. ESWT promoted the formation of cortical bone what might have been associated with increased biomechanical results. ESWT-promoted bone healing was associated with increased neovascularization and up-regulation of angiogenic and osteogenic growth factors.

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Acknowledgments

Funds were received in total or partial support of the research or clinical study presented in this article. The funding sources were National Health Research Institute (NHRI-EX96-9423EP) and Chang Gung Research Fund (CMRPG8049). The authors thank Ms Yi-Chih Sun, Ya-Ju Yang and Ya-Hsueh Chuang for their technical assistance in animal experiments and data collection in this study. No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from any commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, 123 Ta-Pei Road, Niao-Sung Hsiang, Kaohsiung, 833, Taiwan

    Ching-Jen Wang

  2. Department of Medical Research, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan

    Feng-Sheng Wang & Kuender D. Yang

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  1. Ching-Jen Wang
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  2. Feng-Sheng Wang
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Correspondence to Ching-Jen Wang.

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Wang, CJ., Wang, FS. & Yang, K.D. Biological effects of extracorporeal shockwave in bone healing: a study in rabbits. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 128, 879–884 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-008-0663-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-008-0663-1

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