STM Journals Peer-reviewed research from Consortium e-Learning Network

Research and Reviews : Journal of Surgery

Is low-intensity pulsed ultrasound effective in treatment of tibial nonunion?

  1. Song-Il Son
  2. Mun-Sik Ko
  3. Song-Sam Kim
  4. Hak-Pong Hwang
  5. Tong-Won Mun
  6. Gwang-Song Ri

Abstract

Background: Nonunions have been mainly treated with invasive methods by adequate mechanical stability and provision of biological environment leading to bone healing rate of 68%-96%, however, with inherent risks and complications. As an alternative to surgical interventions, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), a biophysical method has been emerged. We aimed to prospectively compare the clinical and functional outcomes between two groups treated with LIPUS and capacitively coupled electric fields (CCEFs) for the tibial shaft nonunions. Materials and Methods: Between June 2017 and December 2019, in Traumatology and Orthopedics Department, 84 consecutive patients established with tibial shaft nonunion were treated with LIPUS and CCEFs, and investigated for outcomes at follow-up by bone healing and Johner-Wruhs' criteria. Results: There were no significant differences in terms of bone healing and functional outcomes for patients diagnosed with tibial shaft nonunion between the two techniques, however, the overall time of treatment between the two groups made a significant difference. Conclusion: LIPUS can promote bone healing in tibial shaft nonunion with a relatively short treatment time compared to CCEFs leading to similar outcomes.

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