Abstract: The striking element (1) according to the invention serves for the production of shocks which act on a tool. It has a body (3) with a plurality of parallel bores (4). A piston (2), heavy in mass, runs pressure-tight in each of these bores (4) and strikes stops which may be mounted without or within the piston (2). An end space (9) lies at each of the faces of the piston (2). The pistons (2) serve to control the function of the striking element (1). At least one of the pistons (2) produces shocks on the tool. The striking element may execute working shocks in the direction of the tool and, in a special embodiment, execute loosening shocks in the opposite direction. In a special embodiment the magnitude of the energy of loosening shocks may be adjusted or suppressed.The striking element is employed principally in surgery, but also in the general manufacture of apparatus.