title: 6. Outcome of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS) Treatment for Adult Phalanx Delayed Union.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In adult phalanx fractures with delayed union, we obtained good results from low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) fracture treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were 10 patients (7 male and 3 female) presenting with adult phalanx fracture with delayed union. The average age was 38.3-year-old. Eight cases presented with distal phalanx fracture and 2 with proximal phalanx fracture. Six cases involved a closed fracture and 4 cases an open fracture. The average LIPUS start time was 3.1 months, and the average treatment period was 5.1 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bone union was obtained in 9 cases (90%). The single case in which bone union was not obtained involved nail deficient severe open fracture. The ratios of joint range of motion on the other side were 50%-100% (average 78.5%). Although a mild skin disorder was seen on the LIPUS treatment site in one case as a complication, it was effectively treated by medication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LIPUS demonstrated significant effects in adult phalanx fractures when the maximum gap was small. We saw a bone union 90% of the cases without additional surgery, and confirmed the validity of LIPUS.
authors.affiliation: Saiseikai Kawaguchi General Hospital.
authors.forename: Tsuyoshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ota