Ultrasound treatment for accelerating fracture healing of the distal radius. A control study

PURPOSE: To investigate the accelerating effects of low-intensity pulse ultrasound stimulation (LIPUS) on the fracture healing of distal radius. METHODS: A total of 81 patients with distal radius fracture were randomly divided into two groups: the ultrasound treatment group and the control group. Patients in the ultrasound treatment group were immobilized in a below-elbow cast and received LIPUS treatment 15 min/day, while the control group were immobilized by a plaster support and cast. The patients were followed up every week and took X-ray films. The initial and healed X-ray films and the gray value of fracture site were analyzed by Photoshop software. The effect of reposition was evaluated based upon Steward recommended by Dienst, combining with Aro's measuring method. RESULTS: Clinical fracture healing time in ultrasound group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (32.04 +/- 2.58d vs. 40.75 +/- 5.12d, p < 0.01). In addition, the grey value changes of fracture sites of the ultrasound group were much higher than that of the control group. The reposition effects of fracture healing had no difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Low-intensity pulse ultrasound stimulation could accelerate fracture healing of the distal radius and promote local bone formation.