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

Objective: 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.
Methods: 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.
Results: 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).
Conclusion: 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.