Does low-intensity pulsed ultrasound reduce time to fracture healing? A meta-analysis

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Five randomized, placebo-controlled trials were included in this meta-analysis investigating the efficacy of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) in accelerating fracture healing. The primary outcome was time to radiographic healing while the incidence of various adverse events was a secondary endpoint. Meta-analysis demonstrated a significantly lower time to radiographic healing in LIPUS-treated groups compared to placebo-treated groups. Subgroup analyses of studies including exclusively nonoperatively managed fractures, exclusively operatively managed fractures, and exclusively tibial fractures did not find statistically significant differences between LIPUS and placebo.