We conducted a multicentre two arm double blind randomised controlled trial to assess efficacy of pulsed ultrasound for accelerating the rate of bone healing. Sixty-two skeletally mature adults undergoing limb lengthening, of between 2.5cm to 10cm by distraction osteogenesis, at the proximal tibia using an Ilizarov frame were randomised to either an active or a placebo (control) ultrasound device.

Primary outcome measure was time ready for removal of frame after adjusting for distraction length (days/cm) for both intension to treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) patients. The time at which the frame was removed was determined by the maturation of the regenerate bone. Secondary outcomes were return to weight bearing and covariates affecting time to frame removal.

The baseline characteristics of the two groups were well balanced, and 90% of patients were managed and followed up as PP. There was no difference in the time to frame removal between the two groups for the ITT (5.0days/cm, p=0.23) or the PP (10.1days/cm, p=0.054). There was no difference in return to weight bearing between the two groups, after adjusting for distraction length, for the ITT or PP patients (p>0.5). Smoking was the only covariate identified to increase the frame removal time (hazard ratio 0.46, 95% confidence interval 0.22 to 0.96; p=0.04).

This trial demonstrated no difference in bone healing between those who underwent pulsed ultrasound and those who did not. Smoking was observed to have a significant inhibitory effect on bone healing.

Aims: Osteomyelitis after open injuries or internal fixation of forearm fractures is uncommon. Established chronic infections do not respond fully to antibiotic suppression or limited debridement. We describe a two-stage treatment of segmental chronic osteomyelitis where wide excision of the affected area was followed by spanning external fixation and supplementary local and systemic antibiotic delivery. The bony defect was subsequently filled by vascularised fibula transfer, held by internal or external fixation.

Methods: Eleven male patients (mean age 41 years) with post-traumatic segmental chronic osteomyelitis were reviewed. There were 6 radii and 5 ulnas; the mean post-debridement defect was 7.7cm (range 5–11cm). The first stage involved wide excision and metalwork removal, followed by application of a spanning external fixator to restore distal radio-ulnar congruency. Gradual distraction was needed in some cases with long standing subluxation. ‘Dead-space’ management used gentamicin beads or gentamicin-loaded calcium sulphate, supplemented with systemic antibiotics according to tissue culture results.

A second stage reconstruction was performed after 4–6 weeks, using a free vascularised fibular graft, fixed using internal and/or external fixation.

Results: The mean follow-up period was 42.4 months. There was no recurrence of infection and union occurred at both graft-host junctions in all patients. The mean period to radiographic bone union was 4.4 months (range 4–6 months).

Patients gained an average of 46° forearm rotation (range 0–105°) with wrist or elbow motion significantly improved in 3 patients. At last review, all patients had a pain-free stable forearm with unhindered hand functions of grasp, hook and pinch. SF-36 assessment showed varied results, although mean values for the physical components of the survey were lower than general population values, while mental/emotional scores were as good.

Conclusions: Staged reconstruction, as described, is a suitable treatment strategy for this challenging problem and produces a good functional outcome.