The effect of fracture and fracture fixation on ultrasonic velocity and attenuation

J. Saulgozis, I. Pontaga, G. Lowet, G. Van der Perre

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Measurement of the velocity of propagation and attenuation of ultrasound (200 kHz) is believed to be a useful non-invasive technique for assessing the mechanical properties of bone. A new method for the determination of ultrasound velocity and attenuation of longitudinal waves in cortical bone was used in vivo and in situ on intact and fractured human tibiae. The measured ultrasound attenuation and velocity were found to be unaffected by the soft tissue between transducers and bone. The ultrasound velocity in vivo on control tibiae was 3614 ± 32 m s-1 and the attenuation was 5.52 ± 0.43 dB MHz-1 cm-1. The ultrasound velocity in fractured tibiae was considerably lower 1 week after fracture (2375 ± 82 m s-1), but had significantly increased after 3 weeks (to 2882 ± 90 m s-1). A higher attenuation was measured 1 week after fracture (17.81 ± 3.91 dB MHz-1 cm-1), but it had decreased again 3 weeks after fracture (10.42 ± 3.56 dB MHz-1 cm-1). In situ studies under well-defined conditions confirmed the in vivo results. The effects of internal plate fixation and gradually cutting through the cortex on the ultrasound velocity and attenuation were studied in situ. These results demonstrate the clinical potential of this technique for the non-invasive assessment of bone fracture healing.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)201-211
Number of pages11
JournalPhysiological Measurement
Volume17
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1996
Externally publishedYes

Keywords*

  • Biomechanics
  • Bone
  • Fracture healing
  • Ultrasound

Field of Science*

  • 1.3 Physical sciences
  • 2.6 Medical engineering

Publication Type*

  • 1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The effect of fracture and fracture fixation on ultrasonic velocity and attenuation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this