[The regenerative potential of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in tendon tissue].

BACKGROUND

Depending on the treated tissue type, like bone or skin, the effects of ESWT are visualized by X‑ray, CT/MRI, or by inspection. MRI-relevant changes in tendon tissue after ESWT-treatment have not yet been reported in clinical studies. The effect sizes that have been reported so far in clinical studies regarding ESWT in tendiopathies are changes in VAS and in functional scores.

OBJECTIVES

The well-known regenerative effects of ESWT in tendon tissue by cell studies should be also reported in clinical cases by MRI documentation.

METHODS

Analysis of clinical development and MR imaging before and after shockwave therapy on three exemplary cases of Achilles tendinopathy and a discussion of literature.

RESULTS

This report is dedicated to MRI documentation of the regenerative effect of ESWT in two cases of degenerative Achilles tendinopathies with partial ruptures and one case of complete rupture with surgery twice and re-rupture twice, which are completely recovered using ESWT.

CONCLUSION

The regenerative effects of ESWT in tendon tissue is not limited to cell studies, they can also be proven by MRI in ESWT-treated patients. The value of a therapy method is not only represented in subjective improvement, but also in objectification with imaging. Further studies on this topic are required.