Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in fresh clavicle fractures: a multi-centre double blind randomised controlled trial.
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.
Lubbert
Pieter H W
PH
Department of Surgery, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. p.h.w.lubbert@mzh.nl
van der Rijt
Rob H H
RH
Hoorntje
Lidewij E
LE
van der Werken
Chris
C
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