Application of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripter (ECSWL) in orthopedics. I. Foundations and overview.

In this paper we have reviewed the feasibility of using a shock wave lithotripter to loosen the interface between the bone and acrylic bone cement for revision arthroplasty. We have reviewed the physics of shock wave and its applications in medicine, especially its interaction with tissues. The calculations show that the energy is greatly reduced at the interface both in the soft tissue-bone interface and cement-bone interface. On the other hand, a tensile and compressive pressure can be operated at the cement-bone interface that can cause the interface to break if the pressure exceeds the tensile strength of the cement-bone interface. Subsequent papers will deal with in vitro and in vivo application of the shock wave in the treatment of the cement from the intramedullary canal.