Shockwave Shows Site-Specific Effects in Knee Osteoarthritis in Rats
Title: Extracorporeal shockwave therapy shows site-specific effects in osteoarthritis of the knee in rats
Authors: Ching-Jen Wang, MD, Yi-Chih Sun, BS, Ka-Kit Siu, MD, and Cheng-Ta Wu, MD
This study investigated the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on knee osteoarthritis in rats. The study found that ESWT had site-specific effects at the distal femur and proximal tibia in rats. ESWT helped to prevent bone density loss, cartilage degradation, and subchondral bone remodeling at the treated sites, leading to the slowing down of osteoarthritis progression. Interestingly, the study also found that treating both areas simultaneously did not produce additive effects, indicating that ESWT is effective when targeted at specific sites. This study highlights the potential benefits of ESWT in treating knee osteoarthritis, and the importance of site-specific treatments for better outcomes. By slowing down the progression of osteoarthritis, ESWT can help reduce joint pain and dysfunction, and prevent and slow cartilage degeneration.