Beschreibung:
<jats:p><jats:italic>Introduction</jats:italic>: The aims of the experiments were to: (1) determine whether low‐energy shock wave treatment accelerates the recovery of muscle sensitivity and functionality after a nerve lesion; and (2) assess the effect of shock waves on the regeneration of injured nerve fibers. <jats:italic>Methods</jats:italic>: After compression of a muscle nerve in rats the effects of shock wave treatment on the sequelae of the lesion were tested. In non‐anesthetized animals, pressure pain thresholds and exploratory activity were determined. The influence of the treatment on the distance of nerve regeneration was studied in immunohistochemical experiments. <jats:italic>Results</jats:italic>: Both behavioral and immunohistochemical data show that shock wave treatment accelerates the recovery of muscle sensitivity and functionality and promotes regeneration of injured nerve fibers. <jats:italic>Conclusion</jats:italic>: Treatment with focused shock waves induces an improvement of nerve regeneration in a rodent model of nerve compression. Muscle Nerve 47: 702–710, 2013</jats:p>