title: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in fresh clavicle fractures: a multi-centre double blind randomised controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several randomised trials have been published on the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on fracture healing in both distal radius and tibia fractures. Most studies showed a positive effect on time to clinical and radiological healing. We hypothesised that LIPUS has a beneficial effect on the healing of fresh clavicle fractures as well and studied its effect in non-operatively treated shaft fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a randomised double blind, placebo-controlled multi-centre trial in 101 adult patients with a non-operatively treated fresh clavicle shaft fracture. Of these patients, 49 used a placebo transducer and 52 patients had an active transducer with ultrasound stimulation (Exogen 2000). Data were analysed on intention to treat basis. Baseline parameters of both groups were not significantly different.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in time to subjective clinical fracture healing, resumption of daily activities, sports or professional work, Visual Analogue pain Scores (VAS) and use of pain medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings did not confirm that LIPUS accelerates clinical healing time of fresh clavicle shaft fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level 1 evidence that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound does not accelerate clinical fracture healing in non-operatively treated fresh midshaft clavicle fractures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. p.h.w.lubbert@mzh.nl
authors.forename: Pieter H W
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Lubbert
authors.forename: Rob H H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: van der Rijt
authors.forename: Lidewij E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Hoorntje
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: van der Werken
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002968:Clavicle / Q000293:injuries*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult