Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2021, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (12): 1944-1950.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.3794

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Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in treatment of fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Xia Sijie, Liao Qi   

  1. Department of Orthopedics, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330000, Jiangxi Province, China
  • Received:2020-04-03 Revised:2020-04-14 Accepted:2020-06-03 Online:2021-04-28 Published:2020-12-26
  • Contact: Liao Qi, Professor, Department of Orthopedics, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330000, Jiangxi Province, China
  • About author:Xia Sijie, Master candidate, Department of Orthopedics, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330000, Jiangxi Province, China

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Although many randomized trials have shown that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound can promote fracture healing, important evaluation results such as small sample size and subjective differences of statisticians are inconsistent. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in the treatment of fractures. 
METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang Medical Network, VIP databases, and Nanchang University Library were searched to collect randomized controlled studies on the impact of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on fracture treatment from March 1999 to March 2020. Two evaluators independently conducted quality evaluation, data extraction and cross-check on the included studies. Finally, RevMan 5.3 software was used to perform meta-analysis on the relevant data.
RESULTS: (1) A total of 11 randomized controlled trials were included, including 1 515 patients. The 765 patients in the trial group were treated with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound, and the 750 patients in the control group were treated with placebo or only ordinary instrument treatment group. (2) Meta-analysis showed that healing time of fracture was shorter in the trial group than that in the control group [MD=-17.92, 95%CI(-28.44, -7.41), P=0.000 8]. There was no significant difference in incidence of nonunion and delayed union after fracture, time to return to full load, time to return to work, clinical standard fracture healing time, incidence of nonunion and delayed union of upper limb and lower limb, quality of life improvement and pain reduction (P > 0.05). 
CONCLUSION: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound can shorten the healing time of fracture.


Key words: bone, fracture, ultrasonic therapy, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound, nonunion, delayed healing, noninvasive treatment, bone healing, meta-analysis 

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