[Iontophoresis with traditional Chinese herbal medicine accelerates the healing of bone fracture].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effect of iontophoresis with traditional Chinese herbal medicine on the healing of bone fracture.


METHODS
Twelve New Zealand rabbits with tibial fracture were treated by iontophoresis with traditional Chinese herbal medicine. A retrospective study of 52 clinical cases of tibial fracture treated with the iontophoresis was also performed in comparison with 50 control cases.


RESULTS
The total effective rate was 100% and in the clinical cases, treatment with the iontophoresis resulted in accelerated healing of the tibial fracture, which took place 10 d earlier than that in the control cases. The follow-up of the patients lasting for 4 to 12 months found satisfactory healing of the fractures with functional recoveries.


CONCLUSIONS
Iontophoresis with traditional Chinese herbal medicine promotes blood circulation and accelerates the growth of bony callus, and provides a new therapeutic approach for promoting the healing of bone fractures.
Zhou
Feng-hui
FH
Department of Rehabilitation, First Affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510630, China.
Zhao
Ming-jie
MJ
Zhao
Hai-yan
HY
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007478:Iontophoresis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011817:Rabbits; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal