• Yangquan Hao, Hao Guo, Zhaochen Xu, Handeng Qi, Yugui Wang, Chao Lu, Jie Liu, and Puwei Yuan.
• Department of Osteonecrosis and Joint Reconstruction, Honghui Hospital Xi'an Jiao Tong University Health Science Center, No. 555 Youyi East Road, Xi'an, Shaanxi, 710054, People's Republic of China. yangquanhaop17@21cn.com.
• J Orthop Surg Res. 2018 Jul 3; 13 (1): 166.

BackgroundWe aimed to evaluate the role of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) in improving osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH).MethodsWe searched studies focusing on the role of ESWT in ONFH using PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, WanFang, VIP, and CNKI databases updated up to July 28, 2017, without language restriction. Standardized mean difference (SMD) values and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were pooled to compare the pain score and Harris hip score for ESWT treatment and other treatment strategies.ResultsFour articles, including 230 ONFH patients, were eligible for the meta-analysis. No significant differences were found in the pain score (SMD = - 1.0104; 95% CI - 2.3279-0.3071) and Harris hip score (SMD = 0.3717; 95% CI - 0.3125-1.0559) between the two groups before treatment. After treatment, significant differences were found between the experimental and control groups in the pain score (SMD = - 2.1148; 95% CI - 3.2332-0.9965) and Harris hip score (SMD = 2.1377; 95% CI 1.2875-2.9880). There were no significant differences in pain score before and after treatment between the two groups (SMD = - 0.7353; 95% CI - 2.1272-0.6566), but significant differences were found in the Harris hip score (SMD = 1.2969; 95% CI 0.7171-1.8767).ConclusionFor patients at an early stage, ESWT may be safe and effective for relief of pain and improvement of motor function.

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