Complex tibial fracture outcomes following treatment with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound.
A clinical study was conducted to investigate the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (US) stimulation (LIPUS) on the healing of complex tibial fractures. Thirty complex tibial fractures were randomly assigned to the treatment with LIPUS (n = 16) or by a dummy machine (sham-exposed: n = 14). The fractures were immobilized by either internal or external fixations according to the clinical indications. LIPUS was given 20 min/day for 90 days. Fracture healing was monitored by clinical, radiological, densitometric and biochemical assessments. The LIPUS-treated group showed statistically significantly better healing, as demonstrated by all assessments. Complications were minimal in the LIPUS group. There were two cases of delayed union, with one in each group. There were two cases of infection in the control group. The delayed-union cases were subsequently treated by LIPUS and the infection cases were treated with standard protocol. Fracture healing in these patients was again treated by LIPUS.
Leung
Kwok-Sui
KS
Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China. ksleung@cuhk.edu.hk
Lee
Wing-Sze
WS
Tsui
Hon-For
HF
Liu
Paul Po-Lung
PP
Cheung
Wing-Hoi
WH
D000328:Adult; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D015519:Bone Density; D002146:Bony Callus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013978:Tibial Fractures / Q000201:enzymology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase