Background:. The Exogen Ultrasound Device is licensed for fracture non-union under NICE guideline MTG-12. Reimbursement is offered if there is no fracture union after 250 days of treatment as per manufacturer guidelines. Quoted healing rates vary between 62% and 100%: we compare our results to these. Method:. A retrospective audit of all patients who received Exogen for long bone non-union was undertaken. The indication, duration of treatment, fracture outcome and compliance with the recommended treatment pathway were recorded. Results:. 41 patients (17M 24F) mean age 41yr were reviewed. There were 15 femoral, 22 tibial and 4 humeral non unions. 16 healed following a mean of 169 days of Exogen treatment (39%). 21 patients did not show any improvement in radiological/clinical union and required further surgery. 4 were not united after 250 days of Exogen treatment. No reimbursements were received. Discussion:. Our results with Exogen differ from published studies with lower than expected healing rates. Failure to complete the recommended pathway however resulted in a breach of the reimbursement stipulations. Conclusion:. Ongoing review of prescription and use of the Exogen device is required to ensure optimum patient outcomes. 250 days of treatment may not be required to determine failure to heal

Aims

The aim of this double-blind prospective randomised controlled trial was to assess whether low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) accelerated or enhanced the rate of bone healing in adult patients undergoing distraction osteogenesis.