Abstract
Introduction: It can be generally said that a shock wave is characterized by a sharp change in the properties of the environment through which it spreads. In medicine, shock waves have been used for many years and the origins of their application are associated with the treatment of concretions.
The success that had been achieved in the field of stone disintegration encouraged further considerations in respect of other applications of shock waves in medicine. Currently, for example, much attention is given to the possibility of damaging tumour tissue by the effects of shock waves.
This paper focuses upon orthopaedic applications. Material and methods: A new source of generating shock waves, which was developed at the Institute of Plasma Physics, has been used.
It is based on the principle of multichannel discharge which occurs on the surface of the composite anode. The effects of shock waves upon the connection between the bone and bone cement were studied in the experiments.
Individual samples were treated by the shock wave and thereafter, the force necessary to displace bone cement from the bone was measured. Results: The maximum forces established in experimental samples were compared to those measured in control samples.
The results indicate that compared to control samples, the force necessary to displace bone cement from an experimental sample is smaller. Conclusions: This suggests that the shock wave can influence the way the bone and bone cement connect.
This effect could be later used in total joint replacements reoperations.