Song, Y., Che, X., Wang, Z., Li, M., Zhang, R., Wang, D., & Shi, Q. (2024). Augmentation of rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction using radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT). BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 25(57). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-07177-8

This randomized controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) in enhancing rehabilitation outcomes for patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Seventy-two patients were assigned to receive either standard rehabilitation with rESWT or with sham rESWT, measuring outcomes such as pain, joint function, and mobility. Significant short-term improvements were noted in the rESWT group at 3 and 6 weeks, though no long-term differences were observed at 24 weeks. The findings suggest that rESWT may benefit early ACLR rehabilitation by reducing pain and improving function.

RSWT seems to be an appropriate treatment for chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy, superior to eccentric loading in terms of efficacy. Evidence prompts it to be a reliable alternative to surgical treatment.

James P.M. Morgan et al. 
Germany

Application of the multimodal therapy approach, including a protocol with almost daily radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (rESWT) led to faster recovery time as compared with previously published studies!

Ya-Fei ZHANG, MD, Yang LIU, MD, Shao-Wen CHOU, MD and Hao WENG, PhD
From the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Aerospace Center Hospital, Beijing, China

This study highlights the dose-related effect of the KOA ESWT treatment, and emphasizes the importance of selecting devices that offer the highest energy density for the purpose of achieving the greatest clinical outcome! 

Prof. Dr. med. Christoph Schmitz
Extracorporeal Shock Wave Research Unit, Chair of Neuroanatomy, Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany

Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) is a well-investigated and commonly used treatment modality in remedying a variety of musculoskeletal disorders. Combining High Power 905nm laser treatment and ESWT may increase the beneficial use of ESWT in physical and rehabilitation medicine.

Shuji Mezawa, Koichi Iwata, Kimisato Naito, Hiroyuki Kamogawa
Archives of Oral Biology, Volume 33, Issue 9, 1988,pages 693-694

The possible analgesic effect of soft-laser irradiation on heat nociceptors in the cat tongue

Lohrer H, SchÖll J, Arentz S
Sportverl Sportschad 2002; 16: 108-114

"Achillodynia and patellar tip syndrome - results of the treatment of fully treated chronic cases with radial shock waves." (Study in German)

Gerdesmeyer L, Frey C, Vester J, et al.
Am J Sports Med 2008;36:2100- 2109

Chronic plantar fasciopathy can be treated efficiently with radial shock wave therapy, which can be administered to outpatients without having to reccur to anesthesia. This randomized controlled trial aims at demonstrating therapeutic superiority vs. placebo.