Extracorporeal shock waves and bone: can we shock the cells into growth?

Abstract

J Hausdorf † & M Maier †Author for correspondence Ludwig–MaximiliansUniversity, Orthopedic Department, (Head: Prof. Dr. med. Dipl.-Ing. V Jansson), Marchioninistr. 15, 81377 Munich, Germany Tel.: +49 897 095 2817; Fax: +49 897 095 5814; joerg.hausdorf@med.unimuenchen.de ‘This (shock waves) causes the expression of bone growth factors...in an amount that is able to activate seemingly ‘sleeping’ pathways, as with a non-union.’