The effects of low‑intensity pulsed ultrasound and pulsed electromagnetic fields bone growth stimulation in acute fractures: a systematic review and meta‑analysis of randomized controlled trials

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The role of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on healing in acute ankle fractures has been the subject of various studies. Thirteen randomized controlled trials with a total of 355 participants treated with (PEMF) (n=146) or low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) (n=209) bone growth stimulation and 382 participants treated with a placebo device were considered. The data was pooled to compare the effect of PEMF or LIPUS with the placebo for acute fractures. Analysis revealed that though PEMF or LIPUS compared to the control accelerated growth in certain fractures, solid evidence is still lacking on whether these bone growth stimulation methods effectively increase the healing rate of newly formed fractures.