Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society
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Low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) was proven to enhance fracture healing effectively. Similar effect of LIPUS on accelerating the osteoporotic fracture healing was therefore hypothesized. The normal and osteoporotic fracture healings under this non-invasive biophysical intervention of LIPUS were compared and investigated. ⋯ Results from weekly radiography, histomorphometry, micro-computed tomography and mechanical test showed both the treatment groups were with better healing responses than their control groups. Moreover, between the normal and the osteoporotic treatment groups, a significantly higher (p = 0.015) callus width (week 4), higher ratio of increment in bone volume to tissue volume ratio value (7.4% more), faster response of endochondral ossification and a higher stiffness measurement were observed in the osteoporotic treatment group. These comparable results on healing responses imply that LIPUS can be applied clinically to enhance both normal and osteoporotic fracture healing.