Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for treating delayed union scaphoid fractures: case series

Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research

Paul Sagiv²  Meir Nyska²  Arnon Gam¹  Orit Bain²  Uri Farkash² 

[1] Central Orthopedic Clinic, IDF, Zerifin, Israel;Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Meir Medical Center, 59 Tchernihovsky St, Kfar-Saba 44281, Israel

关键词: Bone healing;    Scaphoid fracture;    Delayed union;    Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS);    Ultrasound;   

Others  :  1208602
DOI  :  10.1186/s13018-015-0221-9

 received in 2015-01-19, accepted in 2015-05-10,  发布年份 2015

【 摘 要 】

Background

The standard treatment to enhance fracture healing of scaphoid nonunions is surgery. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is gaining in popularity as an alternative treatment to improve fracture healing; however, little is known about success rates of this treatment in scaphoid-delayed unions. The purpose of our study is to define the success rate of LIPUS treatment for delayed union of scaphoid fractures and further analyze whether initial management or fracture type influences success rate.

Methods

During the period of 2011–2013, in the central orthopedic clinic of our institution, patients diagnosed with delayed union of the scaphoid were offered with LIPUS treatment as an alternative to conventional surgical treatment. These patients were then divided into subgroups according to the time elapsed from initial injury until diagnosis of the fracture.

Results

Overall, 22 of 29 (76 %) fractures healed, 12 of 13 (92 %) of the early diagnosed group, and 10 of 16 (63 %) of the late diagnosed group. Difference in healing rate between proximal pole, waist, and distal pole fractures was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

LIPUS can help heal delayed union scaphoid fractures, especially in fractures diagnosed and treated soon after injury and may serve as an alternative to surgical treatment.

【 授权许可】

   
2015 Farkash et al.; licensee BioMed Central.

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