The effect of extracorporeal shockwaves on cartilage end-plates in rabbits: a preliminary MRI and histopathological study.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the changes in the lumbar intervertebral area after extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) at different energy levels in a rabbit model using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and histopathological evaluation. The study included 30 male New Zealand white rabbits divided randomly into five groups: Groups A and C received 1,000 shockwave impulses at an intensity of 14 kV, Groups B and D received 1,000 impulses at 21 kV, and Group E was a sham group. Side effects such as subcutaneous and paravertebral soft-tissue injuries were evaluated using MRI one day after ESWT administration. Neovascularization, edema and fibroblast activity in the intervertebral area were evaluated histopathologically. No change was observed in any group on MRI. Histopathologically, Groups A and C showed no change, whereas Groups B and D showed edema, fibroblast activity and significant neovascularization at the intervertebral end-plate (p<0.05). Our findings indicate that ESWT caused dose-dependent changes in the intervertebral end-plate. This study constitutes a preliminary evaluation of shockwave therapy to the intervertebral area in an animal model. High-dose ESWT may stimulate angiogenesis at cartilage end-plates in rabbits.