Mueller M., Bockstahler B., Skalicky M., Mlacnik E., Lorinson D. (2007)
Effects of radial shock wave therapy on hind limb symmetry in dogs with hip osteoarthritis.
The Veterinary Record,  160(22), 762-765

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of extracorporeal radial shock wave therapy on the hindlimb function of dogs suffering from hip osteoarthritis. Twenty-four client-owned dogs with hip osteoarthritis were investigated; 18 of them received radial shockwave therapy and six were left untreated as controls. Force plate analysis on a treadmill was used to assess the dogs' hindlimb function before treatment and four weeks after the last treatment, and the treated dogs were re-evaluated three and six months after the treatment. The parameters chosen for evaluation were peak vertical force and vertical impulse, and the calculated symmetry indices. In the treated dogs, differences between the ground reaction forces exerted by the right and left hindlegs disappeared four weeks after the treatment, whereas in the control dogs only the peak vertical force distribution changed significantly. The significant improvement in the treated dogs was confirmed by changes in the symmetry indices. Significant improvements in vertical impulse and peak vertical force were observed three months after the treatment.

Bockstahler, B., Müller, M., Skalicky, M., Mlacnik, E., Lorinson, D. ( 2006)
Die extrakorporale radiale Stoßwellentherapie bei der Cubarthrose des Hundes: eine mittels Messung von Bodenreaktionskräften evaluierte Studie
Veterinary Medicine Austria / Wiener Tierärztliche Monatsschrift 93, 39-46

Introduction: Extracorporeal radial shock wave therapy is a common method in the treatment of different muskuloskeletal disorders in humans such as epicondylitis lateralis humeri, tendinosis calcarea or fasciitis plantaris. In horses shock waves are frequently used for the treatment of tendon problems. Shock wave therapy has also been used in dogs suffering from osteoarthritis, but there are only few studies which document the outcome of this kind of treatment. Objective: The limb load of dogs with osteoarthritis of the elbow undergoing extracorporeal radial shock wave therapy should be evaluated. Material and methods: 12 dogs suffering from osteoarthritis of the elbow were treated 3 times in a weekly interval with extracorporeal radial shockwave therapy. Ground reaction forces of all dogs were evaluated before the first and 4 weeks after the last treatment. 2 different parameters (peak vertical force, vertical impulse) were used for calculating symmetry-indices. Results: Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement of the symmetry indices (from pre to post-treatment values; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Radial shock wave therapy improved gait-symmetry in dogs with osteoarthritis of the elbow. Clinical relevance: Results of this study suggest a positive effect of radial shock wave therapy on the gait of dogs suffering from osteoarthritis of the elbow.

Extrakorporale radiale Stoßwellentherapie beim Hund mit Tendinopathien: 3 Fallberichte zu einer neuen Therapieform
B. BOCKSTAHLER1, M. MÜLLER1 und K.M. HITTMAIR2
Vet. Med. Austria / Wien. Tierärztl. Mschr. 94 (2007)

Tendinopathien beim Hund betreffen häufig den M. biceps brachii und den M. supraspinatus. Neben der medikamentellen und chirurgischen Therapie der Erkrankung kommt in letzter Zeit zunehmend die extrakorporale Stoßwellentherapie (ESWT) zum Einsatz. Die vorliegende Arbeit erläutert an Hand von 3 Hunden die Prinzipien der ESWT und beschreibt eine objektive Evaluierungsmethode des Therapieerfolges mittels Messung von Bodenreaktionskräften. Die Therapie wurde dreimalig in wöchentlichem Abstand mittels radialer Stoßwellen durchgeführt. Die Messung der vertikalen Bodenreaktionskräfte erfolgte mittels eines Laufbandes mit 4 integrierten Druckmessplatten und wurde vor jeder Therapie und einen Monat nach Behandlungsende durchgeführt. Anhand der der Bodenreaktionskräfte konnten bei alle  3 Patienten positive Reaktionen auf die ESWT dargestellt werden.