The mechanism of high energy shock waves enhancing fracture healing

Objective To observe the effects of high energy shock waves (HESW) on fracture healing and to explore its mechanisms. Methods Standardized fracture models were made in bilateral tibial diaphyses in 30 rabbits. Seven days after fracture, the right or left of the rabbits was treated with HESW, the opposite side served as control group. The X ray films and histological sections were made for the evaluation of effects on fracture healing. At the different stages, rabbits' fracture callus and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antibody were adopted for immunohistochemical staining (SABC method).Results The fracture healing found in experimental group were earlier than in the control group. The capillaries in histological sections and the intensity of the positive staining in the experimental group were more than those of the control group ( P 0.05). Conclusion HESW can enhance the blood supply in the fracture site and increase the expression of BMP in fracture callus. So it can stimulate callus formation and accelerate fracture healing.