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Ultrasound therapy for non union fractures

(4 Posts)
Synonymous Sun 04-Feb-18 14:52:50

Has anyone any experience of the small portable devices which you can use at home? I have been doing some research into ways in which we can help ourselves and not have to wait for all the appointments through the hospital and found some of these machines on the internet which are small, portable and rechargeable and you can get one for under £100. It would seem to be a no-brainer if they work well. The metal work in DH's leg and ankle is infected and has stopped the fractures from healing so he has been on very high strength antibiotics to suppress the bugs to enable healing to take place. I would like to help him heal quicker if at all possible as the alternatives spoken of are much more invasive with the ultimate being amputation.

Charleygirl Sun 04-Feb-18 16:11:55

My personal opinion is that if they worked, it would be cheaper for hospitals to hand these out to patients to use them at home.

I would not waste your money.

I feel very sorry for your DH but rest, elevation and antibiotics are on the cards now.

FizzyO Sun 04-Feb-18 21:41:13

Please don't start messing about with therapeutic ultrasound. With metal work in the area this could be very dangerous.

Synonymous Mon 05-Feb-18 18:25:51

Thank you Charleygirl and FizzyO smile

Currently DH has no option to do anything but rest as the antibiotics are exhausting him. Conversely he is told to walk on it to aid the healing as the vibration and pressure encourages the bones to knit.

They do have a large machine in our hospital but I was trying to help the healing by investing a relatively small amount in comparison to the amount one would pay for the problem to just go away if you understand my meaning. The waiting list for all these therapies is pretty lengthy and if we could get our own and it worked not only would it take one person off the waiting list but of course it would help DH. As things stand not only will we have to wait for the Orthopaedic appointment but then we would have to wait for the referral, wait to get to the top of the list etc before getting anywhere near the next ortho appointment and then the waiting list for surgery. £100 doesn't seem much to speed things up a bit and not clog up waiting lists.

I asked at the hospital today and apparently they do use the machine even where there is metalwork supporting and holding the bones in place so that would appear not to be an issue so that is good.

I really just wondered if anyone had purchased and used one of those small machines at home and would welcome their feedback. It would appear not sadly. sad