Combined Nutraceutical Supplementation and Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy Enhances Early Pain Reduction and Bone Callus Formation After Distal Radius Fracture: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND

Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are common fragility fractures often associated with underlying osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effect of nutraceutical supplementation in addition to pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy on pain and early fracture healing.

METHODS

Sixty female patients were randomized into two groups: Group A received PEMF therapy alone, while Group B received PEMF plus nutraceutical supplementation. The primary outcome was pain reduction (NRS). Secondary outcomes included biochemical markers and ultrasound-based callus formation.

RESULTS

At T1, Group B showed a trend toward greater pain reduction compared with Group A (mean difference -0.57; p = 0.007) and higher bone alkaline phosphatase levels (p = 0.0002). A higher proportion of patients reached minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in Group B (60% vs. 30%, p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS

Nutraceutical supplementation in addition to PEMF was associated with improved short-term outcomes; however, due to the absence of a non-PEMF control group, the independent effect of PEMF cannot be determined.