Evaluation of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Usage and Outcomes in Bone Healing- a Retrospective Audit

Description

In this presentation, Rosalind Walsh, a final-year Swansea university student, discusses a retrospective audit she conducted on the usage and outcomes of low-intensity pulse ultrasound (LiPUS) for promoting bone healing. The audit was prompted by a health board's moratorium on LiPUS usage, which required evidence of its efficacy through an audit. Walsh provides essential background on LiPUS, explaining its application in non-union and delayed union fractures and the variation in research findings regarding its effectiveness. She highlights gaps in the definitions of non-union and delayed union within the department and indicates that the overall risk of non-union can vary significantly based on various patient-specific factors. Walsh outlines the high cost of LiPUS devices and the complexity of the applicable guidelines, which include both general LiPUS guidelines and specific EXOGEN guidelines. The primary aim of the audit was to assess whether LiPUS was being prescribed according to established guidelines and to evaluate treatment outcomes. Walsh presents findings from the audit, revealing that only a minority of cases aligned with the guidelines, emphasizing issues with documentation and compliance. The poor achievement of bone healing in patients treated with LiPUS, along with high rates of further surgeries, raises concerns regarding its effectiveness. She concludes with recommendations for improving compliance through better documentation practices and the standardization of definitions regarding non-union and delayed union. The session wraps up with questions from the audience, discussing aspects related to the frequency of LiPUS treatment and potential financial implications for the hospital.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-221525

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