A Retrospective Study: Is Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound (LIPUS) an Effective Alternate Treatment Option for...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Biomedical Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Controversy exists regarding the efficacy of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) for fracture healing.
• Exogen is a widely used LIPUS device, with manufacturer data suggesting high success rates.
• Independent studies have reported variable healing rates for LIPUS therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the real-world effectiveness of Exogen LIPUS therapy in patients with delayed union or non-union fractures.
• To determine the success rate and identify potential factors influencing outcomes of LIPUS treatment.
• To compare LIPUS outcomes with surgical revision rates for non-union fractures.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective observational study analyzed 28 patients treated with Exogen for delayed union or non-union fractures.
• Patients initiated therapy after three months with radiographic evidence of delayed union.
• Treatment involved daily 20-minute Exogen sessions for up to four months, with follow-up until clinical and radiological healing.

Main Results:

• The study achieved an 82.14% success rate in healing fractures treated with Exogen.
• The average healing time was 115 days.
• A larger interfragmentary gap (16.1 mm) was associated with treatment failure, while healed fractures had a smaller gap (7.5 mm).

Conclusions:

• LIPUS therapy, specifically Exogen, shows a high success rate for delayed union and non-union fractures.
• LIPUS provides a safe, non-invasive alternative to surgical intervention for fracture healing.
• An increased interfragmentary gap is a significant risk factor for poor outcomes with LIPUS treatment.