孙伟　高福强　李子荣

Extracorporeal shock wave ( ESW ) is a special form of sound wave, which is also an effective mechanical stimulation. Through the communication of alternate media of decompression and compression ( density ), the mechanical stimulation of tissue cells can be achieved without damage by the cavitation effect, tensile strength and shear force of ESW. And then the self-healing mechanism of tissue cells will be activated. A great deal of research on the action mechanism of ESW by the scholars at home and abroad revealed that new application prospects for ESW has been viewed in the prevention and treatment of ischemic diseases. Osteonecrosis of the femoral head ( ONFH ), which is also called ischemic necrosis of the femoral head, is a common and refractory disease in the field of orthopedics with the results of structural changes, collapse and functional disorders of the femoral head due to the death of bone tissues and marrow and the subsequent repair caused by the interrupted blood supply. The new non-invasive method of extracorporeal shock wave treatment ( ESWT ) rises in the field of orthopedics, which is superior to the traditional surgical method in the treatment of some orthopedic and soft-tissue disorders. This new ESWT therapy for ONFH are carried out in many domestic and foreign medical institutions, and the basic and clinical progress is summarized in this paper.