Time to abandon this ineffective treatment, says linked editorial.
Receiving ultrasound after surgery to repair a fractured tibia (shinbone) does not accelerate healing or improve functional recovery compared with sham treatment, finds a trial of US patients published by The BMJ.
A linked editorial also published today, says there is now sound evidence that it doesn't work and suggests "it is time to abandon this ineffective treatment."
Tibial fractures are the most common long bone fracture. They heal slowly and often further surgery is needed to stimulate or accelerate the healing process.
