The efficacy and safety of combination therapy of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation in the treatment of unstable both radius and ulna fractures in children.

BACKGROUND

There are few reports of Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) treatment for fresh forearm fractures in children.

OBJECTIVES

LIPUS stimulation was applied after surgery of forearm fractures in children and the efficacy and safety of combination therapy of LIPUS treatment were evaluated.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Children with both radius and ulna fracture, twenty-five diaphysis (mid-R&U) and nineteen metaphysis (dist-R&U) fractures, were treated with intramedullary nailing followed by cast and splint mobilization. Thirteen patients in the mid-R&U fracture group and eight patients in the dist-R&U fracture group were combined with LIPUS stimulation postoperatively.

RESULTS

Periosteal callus appeared significantly earlier after surgery in the LIPUS-treated groups than in the groups without LIPUS treatment. The duration of external fixation was significantly shorter in the dist-R&U fracture group treated with LIPUS stimulation compared with that in the mid-R&U fracture group without LIPUS treatment. Furthermore, the time span needed for bone union in the groups with LIPUS stimulation was significantly shorter than in the groups without LIPUS stimulation.

CONCLUSIONS

It is suggested that LIPUS stimulation can lead to a reduction of treatment periods of unstable forearm fractures safely after operation even in children.