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.