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Shockwave therapy treatment to regenerate new blood vessels and nerves

User
Posted 17 Jun 2024 at 17:53

Hi


I am new to the forum and have read several conversations which have helped me realise I am not the only one experiencing life after non nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy. I was diagnosed in 2009 and opted for surveillance until my Gleason score worsened and lost my older brother to prostate cancer which spread to spine and brain in the space of 6 months. 


Had my op in March of 2019, still experience a bit of incontinence, funny that I can hold onto a full bladder but not an empty one, and of course the ED. I use both Alprostadil and a VED to maintain any form of erection.


I read an article in the Daily Mail, MailOnline in August 2021 where they were looking to trial shockwave therapy to try and reverse ED in men who have undergone prostate surgery. The treatment involves delivering a painless acoustic wave to the penis using a specialist probe for 10 to 15 minutes weekly for 10 weeks. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9885619/New-hope-men-suffering-effects-prostate-surgery-expert-says.html


My question is did anyone manage to get onto the trial and possibly know if the trial was successful?

User
Posted 17 Jun 2024 at 20:39

I think the trial was only for Guys and St Thomas's prostatectomy patients. However, I don't know if it was appropriate in the case of non-nerve sparing.


There has been some experimentation in the US of laying new nerve sheaths along the path of the erection nerves, and hoping new nerves will grow along them. It takes a long time to know if it's worked or not. I have heard the suggestion that improvements in erectile function from 3 years onwards are most likely due to new nerves growing, which does happen in a few patients.

 
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