Utility of diagnostic ultrasound in evaluating fracture healing

With increase in population, modes of transportation and a fast pace of life, an individual's chances of accident and thereby chances of getting fractured have increased significantly. Fracture has thus become a significant factor contributing to morbidity and mortality. To resume a normal life, after one suffers from a fracture is also an ordeal. The transition appears smooth if the fracture healing goes on in a smooth manner as is expected through its routine stages of reactive phase, reparative phase and remodeling phase. But if in this chain something goes wrong or some factors are not optimum upto the mark, then the process becomes unsuccessful and the repair is either partial or directionless. It is therefore very vital to confirm whether or not the callus which bridges the fractured fragments is healthy or not. Here in lies the role of imaging as it can show the status of callus without disturbing it. What complicates the picture is that a callus might not be well demonstratable unless it mineralizes or calcifies. An imaging modality like ultrasound therefore stands out as it can show the state of callus in its different stages. This article aims at demonstrating how ultrasound- a non invasive diagnostic imaging modality can give precise information about the progress of fracture healing and thereby aid in management of fractures, so that an individual can return back to normal productive lifestyle. This preliminary study highlights the spectrum of fracture healing as seen on ultrasound.