Non-union of the clavicle and delayed union of the proximal fifth metatarsal treated with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in two soccer players

摘要

Operative treatment has become the treatment of choice in athletes and active patients in non-union of the clavicle and delayed union of the proximal fifth metatarsal. The purpose of this study was to review the short- and long-term clinical results of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound treatment in a non-union of the clavicle and in a delayed union of the proximal fifth metatarsal in 2 elite soccer players. In both patients, the treatment sessions were performed with an ultrasound signal that was composed of a burst width of 200±10% μs containing 1.5±5% MHz sine waves, with a repeating rate of 1±10% kHz and a spatial average temporal intensity of 30±30% mW/cm~2. The application of the ultrasound was performed by the patients at home for 20 min/day for 3 months. The healing of the nonunion of the clavicle was followed by MR imaging and of the delayed union of the proximal fifth metatarsal by radiographs. In both of the cases the end-results were excellent and the players could continue playing at the highest level. The ultrasound method was successful and afforded players a quick return to sport activity.