Precise information on the effects of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) on biochemical status in humans is still lacking. Hence, this study investigated the effectiveness of three or six sessions of low energy ESWT on serum bone metabolism markers in individuals who have undergone post anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Participants with ACL injuries were assigned into three groups (n=10 per group), i.e. physiotherapy alone without ESWT (control), three sessions of ESWT combined with physiotherapy (3ESWT), and six sessions of ESWT combined with physiotherapy (6ESWT) groups. Serum bone metabolism markers, i.e. osteocalcin (OCN), human Cross Linked C-telopeptide of Type 1 Collagen (CTX1), calcium, and phosphorus were measured at weeks 0, 2, 9, 12, and 6 months post ACL reconstruction. Serum OCN and CTX1 concentrations within the 3ESWT and 6ESWT groups across the five measurements were not significantly different. However, serum calcium concentrations at weeks 2, 9, and 12 were significantly higher compared to their respective baseline values for all three groups. Shockwave therapy had no significant effect on bone resorption and formation markers postoperatively. Six sessions of shockwave therapy (6ESWT) elicited the highest serum calcium level at week 12 post-operatively among all the groups. More studies are warranted to substantiate these findings.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.