[Ultrasonic diagnosis of fractures]

For the first time, sonographic callus diagnosis concentrates not on the fracture gap but on the conversion process within the surrounding callus region to determine healing and reloadability of fractures. On evaluation of callus texture in relation to the adjacent muscle tissue a sensitive diagnostic parameter can be determined from B-scan images even in a clinical routine situation which is suitable for the monitoring of healing as well as determination of the fracture status. The results of a clinical study are presented and a parameter range is determined which can be used as a criterium for tibia fracture stability and reloadability. Principal agreement of parameter dependence on healing time is shown by fibula fracture diagnosis, too.