2011 Volume 35 Issue 3 Pages 1025-1028
We performed extracorporeal shock wave therapy for two of cases nonunion due to humerus fracture and complete fracture healing was achieved in both cases. Case 1 was a 38-year-old man. He injured his right humerus in a traffic accident. Although open reduction and internal fixation with plate was performed and treated by low-intensity pulsed ultrasound two weeks after the operation, nonunion was found. Three sessions of extracorporeal shock wave therapy were performed from eight months after the operation. Sharp pain was reduced after the second treatment, an osteosclerosis was observed seven weeks later, and bone union was achieved in three months.
Case 2 was a 58-years-old woman who injured her right humerus in a traffic accident. Although she was operated on using ender pin, there was nonunion. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy was performed one year and four months after the operation and periosteum reaction was recognized after one month and bone union was achieved one year after the treatment.
The effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy for the treatment of nonunion cases was reported for the first time in 1991. In our cases, we performed extracorporeal shock wave for two nonunion cases of humerus, and bone union was achieved. Extracorporeal shock wave therapy is a less-invasive treatment, and it is thought to be better to try if before the decision of re-operation is made.
