Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) combined with hyperbaric oxygen on nonunion after surgery. Methods 83 patients with nonunion were treated with ESWT combined with hyperbaric oxygen (treatment group), and 32 cases served as control group. ESWT application was conducted using a protocol totaling 3000 shocks per treatment. The treatment group received 3~5 times of treatment, at the same time hyperbaric oxygen therapy was performed. The control group received no treatment and was followed up at least 3 months after treatment. Results The overall success rate was 78.31% in the treatment group, while only 12.50% recovered in the control group (P<0.01). The complications of treatment group were less and negligible. Conclusion Treatment of nonunion by extracorporeal shock wave combined with hyperbaric oxygen is safe and effective.

Key words: nonunion, extracorporeal shock wave therapy, hyperbaric oxygen