Novel Technique for Fracture Non-Union in Children - A Case Report
1Department of Orthopaedics, Centre for Bone and Joint, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital and Research Medical Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
Introduction:
Pediatric fracture non-union is more common than generally expected. The risk factors are similar to those in adults, and treatment remains equally challenging. Surgery is almost always necessary to restart the healing process. One of the conservative options now being used is low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS). It has been applied both in fresh fractures to stimulate all stages of healing and in non-unions, working by promoting repair at the molecular level.
Case Report:
We present a case of a distal one-third humeral shaft fracture in a child that developed atrophic non-union and was treated with LIPUS. Therapy was initiated, and sequential radiographs were evaluated for healing. Encouraging signs of union were seen at 3 months, with successful fracture union at 6 months.
Conclusion:
This was the 1st time LIPUS was used in India for the management of pediatric fracture non-union. While several studies have demonstrated the use of LIPUS in adult non-unions, little literature exists regarding its use in children. Even though this is a single case report, we hope it will encourage further trials and research and help establish LIPUS as a novel technique for managing pediatric fracture non-union.
