VEGF-A expression in soft tissues repaired by shock- wave therapy - differences between modalities

Shock wave therapy has found its place in the medical treatment of various diseases of the locomotor system such as acute fracture, nonunion, chronic tendinitis and pseudarthrosis. Focused shock-wave enables maximum energy in the therapeutic zone, and depth of penetration can be adjusted. Radial shock wave therapy primarily affects superficial tissues, so its application in medicine is doubtful. Our study aimed to compare long bone fracture healing in regard to soft tissues, comparing the shock-wave group with controls. For this investigation, 84 female Wistar rats were divided into the focused shock- wave group (n=36), radial shock wave group (n=36) and controls (n=12). Conclusively, long bone fracture repair is enhanced in the shock- wave group. Comparison between focused shock- wave and radial shock-wave suggested that this latter strongly stimulated the processes of the healing, as 75% of vascular spaces were VEGF-A positive on the 5th day of bone healing, and 85% on the 22nd day of healing