Clinical Experiences with Ultrasonometric Measurement of Fracture Healing.
From: Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of the Locomotor System, TeleOrto Center of Excellence, Medical University, Lindleya 4, 02-005 Warsaw, Poland. w.glinkowski@parser.com.pl
Technology and health care : official journal of the European Society for Engineering and Medicine
- Publish Date: 2006
- ISSN: 0928-7329
- Volume: 14
- Issue: 4-5
- Pages: 321-33
- Medium: Print
- Language: English
- Citation (JAMA): Glinkowski Wojciech, Górecki Andrzej, et al. Clinical Experiences with Ultrasonometric Measurement of Fracture Healing.. 2006;14:321-33
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The use of noninvasive, acoustic methods like ultrasonometry is becoming increasingly interesting in the quantitative assessment of fracture healing. A reliable measurement technique has been described using ultrasonic transducers placed across the fracture gap. Ultrasonic image aiming is useful for accurate transducers location, on both sides of the gap. The study was designed to assess the clinical application of measurement of ultrasonic wave propagation through the fracture callus. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Contact testing was performed with a prototype ultrasonic bone tester UTTK-01 device. The measuring technique was validated experimentally on human long bones in vitro, as well on volunteers. Twenty four diaphyseal fractures of long bones were prospectively assessed. Transducers put on a fixed distance frame were properly placed with ultrasonographic focusing. RESULTS: Average ultrasound propagation time was 1917 m/s. The measured values for fractures rose with time after injury. The average speed of sound measured between 10th and 21st day after fracture was 1200,85 m/s, after 7 to 8 weeks - 1559,35 m/s, after 12 weeks - 1640,64 m/s, after 16 weeks - 1735,72 m/s. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that the technique for measuring long bone ultrasound velocity with ultrasonographic centering on the fracture gap allows repetitive positioning of ultrasonic transducers for measurement. Ultrasonic measurement of bone union may support or modify clinical decision. However, further studies are required to make the ultrasonometric method easier and more user friendly for clinical studies.
Mesh Headings (Keywords): Biomechanics, Bone Density, Femoral Fractures, Fracture Fixation, Fracture Healing, Fractures, Bone, Humans, Prospective Studies, Remote Consultation, Tibial Fractures, Time Factors, Transducers, Treatment Outcome, Ultrasonics
Check for Full Text / PubMed Unique Identifier (PMID): 17065754
This abstract is part of PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed includes more than 17 million citations from MEDLINE and other life science journals for biomedical articles. See Copyright and Disclaimers.
Linked medical terms appearing on this page are added by Healia to help readers find more information and are not part of the original PubMed document.
The data herein was last updated on July 8th, 2008 and may not reflect the most current and accurate data available from NLM.