Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) has shown benefits in patients with nonunion or delayed bone healing, pseudarthrosis, and avascular necrosis of bone. Until now, these effects were explained by the release of growth factors, activation of cells, and microfractures occurring after ESWT. Microcirculation is an important factor in bone healing and may be compromised in fractured scaphoids because its blood supply comes from the distal end. Due to this perfusion pattern, the scaphoid bone is prone to nonunion after fracture. The ability of ESWT to enhance microcirculation parameters in soft tissue was of interest to determine if it improves microcirculation in the scaphoid.
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