Blinded, randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial assessing the efficacy of a novel piezoelectric extracorporeal shockwave device following TPLO.

Novel piezoelectric ESWT device improves weight-bearing post-TPLO without sedation.

This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a novel piezoelectric extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) device in dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). A total of 30 dogs were randomly assigned to receive either ESWT or sham treatments immediately after surgery and at 2 and 4 weeks post-operatively. The primary outcome measure was objective gait analysis at 4 and 8 weeks post-operatively. Secondary outcomes included owner subjective assessments using the Canine Brief Pain Inventory and Liverpool Osteoarthritis for Dogs questionnaires, as well as radiographic evaluations of patella tendon thickness and osteotomy healing at 8 weeks post-operatively. All dogs completed the ESWT treatments without the need for sedation, and no adverse events were reported. At 4 weeks post-operatively, dogs in the ESWT group bore significantly more weight at a trot compared to the sham-treated group. However, no significant differences were observed between groups in owner subjective assessments or radiographic evaluations. The study concluded that the novel piezoelectric ESWT device is safe and can improve weight-bearing in dogs following TPLO surgery. Further research is needed to explore its efficacy in other conditions and to compare it directly with other ESWT devices. ([frontiersin.org](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2025.1600116/full?utm_source=openai))

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