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How to Read Radial Pressure Wave and Shock Wave Scientific Literature Without Perishing in the Attempt

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Review Article | Vol 5 | Issue 2 |  July-December 2025 | page: 42-46 | Daniel Moya, Mani Singh, Lauro Schledorn de Camargo

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13107/jrs.2025.v05.i02.183

Open Access License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Copyright Statement: Copyright © 2025; The Author(s).

Submitted Date: 08 Aug 2025 , Review Date: 27 Sep 2025, Accepted Date: Nov 2025 & Published: 30 Dec 2025

Author: Daniel Moya [1], Mani Singh [2], Lauro Schledorn de Camargo [3]

[1] Department of Orthopaedics, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
[2] Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, United States.
[3] Orthopedic Surgeon, LC Clinic Jundiaí – SP, Brazil .

Address of Correspondence
Daniel Moya,
Department of Orthopaedics, Hospital Británico de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
E-mail: drdanielmoya@yahoo.com.ar

Abstract

Publications on shock wave therapy have experienced exponential growth since the beginning of the 21st century. While this has had a positive effect by providing a wealth of information, it has also generated confusion and misunderstandings. It is essential that readers be aware of the significant discrepancies and serious errors, even within the basic sciences related to this therapeutic tool.
In a literature review, we discuss examples of the most frequent errors.
Critical reading is the surest way to avoid adopting false concepts.
Keywords: Shock wave, Radial pressure waves, Literature review, Critical reading

References:

1. Skaudickas D, Lenčiauskas P, Skaudickas A, Undžytė G. Low intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy for chronic pelvic pain syndrome: Long-term follow-up. Open Med (Wars). 2023 Oct 28;18(1):20230832. doi: 10.1515/med-2023-0832. PMID: 37900960; PMCID: PMC10612526.
2. Hur KJ, Bae WJ, Ha US, Kim S, Piao J, Jeon KH, et al. Safety and efficacy of extracorporeal shockwave therapy on chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Prostate Int. 2024 Dec;12(4):195-200. doi: 10.1016/j.prnil.2024.06.003. Epub 2024 Jun 13. PMID: 39735201; PMCID: PMC11681323. Wang YR. Safety of low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy — 2024. Revisión en PMC.
3. Huang N, Qin Z, Sun W, Bao K, Zha J, Zhang P, et al. Comparing the effectiveness of extracorporeal shockwave therapy and myofascial release therapy in chronic pelvic pain syndrome: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2023 Oct 18;24(1):675. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07633-1. PMID: 37853420; PMCID: PMC10583345.
4. Wang YR, Feng B, Qi WB, Gong YW, Kong XB, Cheng H, Dong ZL, Tian JQ, Wang ZP. Safety of low-intensity extracorporeal shock wave therapy in prostate disorders: in vitro and in vivo evidence. Asian J Androl. 2024 Sep 1;26(5):535-543. doi: 10.4103/aja202448. Epub 2024 Aug 6. PMID: 39107962; PMCID: PMC11449405.
5. Labetov I, Vaganova A, Kovalev G, Shkarupa D. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy in treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: Systematic review and meta-analyses. Neurourol Urodyn. 2024 Nov;43(8):1924-1937. doi: 10.1002/nau.25524. Epub 2024 Jun 7. PMID: 38847290. Hegazy M. A randomized trial on low-intensity shockwave therapy (2024) — publicación en revista científica (Nature-linked).
6. Hegazy M, Sheir KZ, Gaballah MA, Elshal AM. A randomized controlled trial evaluating low-intensity shockwave therapy for treatment of persistent storage symptoms following transurethral surgery for benign prostatic obstruction. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2024 Jun;27(2):305-311. doi: 10.1038/s41391-024-00820-4. Epub 2024 Mar 29. PMID: 38553627; PMCID: PMC11096095.
7. Ogbeivor C, AlMubarak H, Akomolafe T, Alkahtani H, AlMugizel H, Marin I, Aldosari H, Aldhwayan N, Mohamed G, Alobthani K. The effectiveness of radial shockwave therapy on myofascial pain syndrome: a two-armed, randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2025 Apr 24;26(1):413. doi: 10.1186/s12891-025-08659-z. PMID: 40275291; PMCID: PMC12023603.
8. Hurt K, Svestkova O, Halaska M, Driak D, Rakovicova I, Musalek M, Krajcova A. Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy of Vulvodynia: A Feasibility Study. Actual Gyn. 2019;11:18-22

How to Cite this article: Moya D, Singh M, Camargo LSD. How to Read Radial Pressure Wave and Shock Wave Scientific Literature Without Perishing in the Attempt. Journal of Regenerative Science. July-December 2025;5(2):42-46.

 

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Shock Wave Treatment and Rotator Cuff Tears: Rightly Blamed or Victim of Methodological Bias?

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Original Article | Vol 4 | Issue 2 |  July-December 2024 | page: 04-07 | Daniel Moya, Jai-Hong Cheng, Jorge Rojas, Mani P. Singh, Wei Sun, Diego Gómez, Federico Alfano, Alfonso Di Giorno, Jae-Man Lee, Fabiana Del Val

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13107/jrs.2024.v04.i02.141

Author: Daniel Moya [1], Jai-Hong Cheng [2], Jorge Rojas [3], Mani P. Singh [4], Wei Sun [5], Diego Gómez [6], Federico Alfano [7], Alfonso Di Giorno [8], Jae-Man Lee [9], Fabiana Del Val [10]

[1] Department Of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Buenos Aires British Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
[2] Department of Medical Research, Center for Shockwave Medicine and Tissue Engineering,Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan.
[3] Department Of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá, Bogotá, Colombia.
[4] Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, USA.
[5] Department of Orthopaedics, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Chaoyang, Beijing, China.
[6] Department Of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Buenos Aires British Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
[7] Hospital Privado Gipuzkoa Asunción Klinika, Tolosa, Gipuzkoa, España.
[8] Centri Medici Riabilitativi Di Giorno, Bologna, Italia.
[9] Yonsei Bone Orthopedic Clinic and Bone Physiofit Center, Seoul, Korea.
[10] Private practice. Ave 1ero de mayo 411 pte Col. Primero de mayo Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas, Mexico CP 89450.

Address of Correspondence
Dr. Daniel Moya,
Department Of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Buenos Aires British Hospital, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
E-mail: drdanielmoya@yahoo.com.ar

Abstract

Focused shock waves are a frequently used non-invasive therapeutic option for the treatment of rotator cuff calcifications. Over the last 30 years, numerous studies have been published that support its high level of recommendation. Reports of complications are isolated and very infrequent. In this communication, we analyze why there are no valid arguments to relate the application of shock waves with rotator cuff injuries.
Keywords: Shock wave, Rotator Cuff, Complications

References:

1. Moya D, Ramón S, Schaden W, Wang CJ, Guiloff L, Cheng JH. The role of extracorporeal shockwave treatment in musculoskeletal disorders. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2018;100:251-63.
2. Louwerens JK, Sierevelt IN, van Noort A, van den Bekerom MP. Evidence for minimally invasive therapies in the management of chronic calcific tendinopathy of the rotator cuff: A systematic review and meta-analysis. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2014;23:1240-9.
3. Moya D, Ramón S, Guiloff L, Terán P, Eid J, Serrano E. Poor results and complications in the use of focused shockwaves and radial pressure waves in musculoskeletal pathology. [Malos resultados y complicaciones en el uso de ondas de choque focales y ondas de presión radial en patología musculoesquelética.] Rehabilitación 2022;56:64-73.
4. Han J, Jeong HJ, Kim YK, Oh JH. Posterior rotator cuff tears: Is extracorporeal shockwave therapy a risk factor? Clin Orthop Surg 2023;15:281-9.
5. Wang CJ, Cheng JH, Chou WY, Hsu SL, Chen JH, Huang CY. Changes of articular cartilage and subchondral bone after extracorporeal shockwave therapy in osteoarthritis of the knee. Int J Med Sci 2017;14:213-23.
6. Wang CJ, Wang FS, Yang KD, Weng LH, Sun YC, Yang YJ. The effect of shock wave treatment at the tendon-bone interface-an histomorphological and biomechanical study in rabbits. J Orthop Res 2005;23:274-80.
7. Mouzopoulos G, Stamatakos M, Mouzopoulos D, Tzurbakis M. Extracorporeal shock wave treatment for shoulder calcific tendonitis: A systematic review. Skeletal Radiol 2007;36:803-11.
8. Delvecchio F, Auge BK, Munver R, Brown SA, Brizuela R, Zhong P, et al. Shock wave lithotripsy causes ipsilateral renal injury remote from the focal point: The role of regional vasoconstriction. J Urol 2003;169:1526-9.
9. Lin TC, Lin CY, Chou CL, Chiu CM. Achilles tendon tear following shock wave therapy for calcific tendinopathy of the Achilles tendon: A case report. Phys Ther Sport 2012;13:189-92.
10. Oda H, Sano K, Kunimasa Y, Komi PV, Ishikawa M. Neuromechanical modulation of the achilles tendon during bilateral hopping in patients with unilateral achilles tendon rupture, over 1 year after surgical repair. Sports Med 2017;47:1221-30.
11. Tarantino D, Palermi S, Sirico F, Corrado B. Achilles tendon rupture: Mechanisms of injury, principles of rehabilitation and return to play. J Funct Morphol Kinesiol 2020;5:95.
12. Rompe JD, Kirkpatrick CJ, Kullmer K, Schwitalle M, Krischek O. Dose-related effects of shock waves on rabbit tendo Achillis. A sonographic and histological study. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1998;80:546-52.
13. Chen Y, Lyu K, Lu J, Jiang L, Zhu B, Liu X, et al. Biological response of extracorporeal shock wave therapy to tendinopathy in vivo (review). Front Vet Sci 2022;9:851894.
14. D’Agostino MC, Craig K, Tibalt E, Respizzi S. Shock wave as biological therapeutic tool: From mechanical stimulation to recovery and healing, through mechanotransduction. Int J Surg 2015;24:147-53.
15. Cardoso TB, Pizzari T, Kinsella R, Hope D, Cook JL. Current trends in tendinopathy management. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2019;33:122-40.
16. Cyteval C, Baron-Sarrabère MP, Jorgensen C, Cottin A, Benis J, Sany J, et al. Etude IRM avant et aprEs lithotritie des tendinopathies calcifiantes de l’épaule [MRI study before and after extracorporal shock wave therapy in calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder]. J Radiol 2003;84:681-4. [French]
17. Brañes J, Contreras HR, Cabello P, Antonic V, Guiloff L, Brañes M. Shoulder rotator cuff responses to extracorporeal shockwave therapy: Morphological and immunohistochemical analysis. Shoulder Elbow 2012;4:163-8.
18. Lorbach O, Kusma M, Pape D, Kohn D, Dienst M. Influence of deposit stage and failed ESWT on the surgical results of arthroscopic treatment of calcifying tendonitis of the shoulder. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2008;16:516-21.
19. Rebuzzi E, Coletti N, Schiavetti S, Giusto F. Arthroscopy surgery versus shock wave therapy for chronic calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder. J Orthop Traumatol 2008;9:179-85.
20. Daecke W, Kusnierczak D, Loew M. Extrakorporale Stosswellentherapie (ESWT) bei der Tendinosis calcarea der Rotatorenmanschette. Langzeitergebnisse und Stellenwert [Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT) in tendinosis calcarea of the rotator cuff. Long-term results and efficacy]. Orthopade 2002;31:645-51. [German]
21. Cao L, Wang YQ, Yu T, Sun Y, He J, Zhong Y, et al. The effectiveness and safety of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for the management of kidney stones: A protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore) 2020;99:e21910.
22. Chung E, Cartmill R. Evaluation of long-term clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction rate following low intensity shock wave therapy in men with erectile dysfunction: A minimum 5-year follow-up on a prospective open-label single-arm clinical study. Sex Med 2021;9:100384.
23. Slezak C, Flatscher J, Slezak P. A comparative feasibility study for transcranial extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Biomedicines 2022;10:1457.
24. Myojo M, Ando J, Uehara M, Daimon M, Watanabe M, Komuro I. Feasibility of extracorporeal shock wave myocardial revascularization therapy for post-acute myocardial infarction patients and refractory angina pectoris patients. Int Heart J 2017;58:185-90.
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26. Liu B, Zhang Y, Jia N, Lan M, Du L, Zhao D, et al. Study of the safety of extracorporeal cardiac shock wave therapy: Observation of the ultrastructures in myocardial cells by transmission electron microscopy. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther 2018;23:79-88.
27. Schmitz C, Császár NB, Rompe JD, Chaves H, Furia JP. Treatment of chronic plantar fasciopathy with extracorporeal shock waves (review). J Orthop Surg Res 2013;8:31.

How to Cite this article: Moya D, Cheng JH, Rojas J, Singh MP, Sun W, Gómez D, Alfano F, Di Giorno A, Lee JM, Val FD | Shock Wave Treatment and Rotator Cuff Tears: Rightly Blamed or Victim of Methodological Bias?. | Journal of Regenerative Science | July-December 2024; 4(2): 04-07.

 

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