Ultrasounds Therapy
The aim of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound is to reduce fracture healing time and avoid non-union by delivering micro-mechanical stress to the bone to stimulate bone healing.
What is Ultrasound Therapy
An ultrasound probe is positioned on the skin over the fracture and patients self-administer low-intensity pulsed ultrasound daily, usually for 20 minutes. If a patient's limb is immobilised in a cast, a hole is cut into the cast for the ultrasound probe. The probe delivers acoustic radiation and coupling gel is used on the skin to aid conduction of the ultrasound signal. An operating frequency of 1.5 MHz, pulse width of 200 microseconds, repetition rate of 1 kHz, and a temporal average power of 30 milliwatts/cm2 is typically used. The exact treatment protocol and duration of treatment may vary.
How Ultrasound Therapy Can Benefit My Recovery
The therapeutic ultrasound applies heat to the targeted area, which helps to increase blood flow to the area that’s being targeted. Increasing blood flow to damaged areas removes waste products and increases the nutrients to that area which it needs to heal. It also increases elasticity to that area. Unfortunately, this only lasts during the ultrasound and for 3 minutes after - hence it’s important not to solely rely on ultrasound for long term treatment. It is a great adjunct alongside long term treatment like stretches and other exercises that your local physiotherapist has guided you through.
Ultrasound therapy is particularly helpful for the following injuries/problems:
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Tightness of a muscle (AKA soft tissue shortening)
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Long term soft tissue or muscle/tendon pain
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Delayed healing of a muscle or tendon
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Long term swelling
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Tendinopathies or tendonitis
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Tendon healing post-surgery as long as it’s not harmful to new joint/operation contraindicated
Ultrasound therapy is particularly helpful for the following injuries/problems:
-
Tightness of a muscle (AKA soft tissue shortening)
-
Long term soft tissue or muscle/tendon pain
-
Delayed healing of a muscle or tendon
-
Long term swelling
-
Tendinopathies or tendonitis
-
Tendon healing post-surgery as long as it’s not harmful to new joint/operation contraindicated
Things to bear in mind
You may not feel the effect/heat of the ultrasound
As it’s using heat, you’d probably expect to feel the ultrasound working on your muscles. But your sense of touch/feel works via sensory tracts that sit superficially on your skin. The sound waves from the ultrasound penetrate deep into the tissues, where there are no sensory tracts, so you’re likely not to feel it. What you may feel is the ultrasound head warming up after about 7 minutes of treatment, but don’t worry - it will not burn you!