Non-union of the clavicle and delayed union of the proximal fifth metatarsal treated with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in two soccer players.

Operative treatment has become the treatment of choice in athletes and active patients in non-union of the clavicle and delayed union of the proximal fifth metatarsal. The purpose of this study was to review the short- and long-term clinical results of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound treatment in a non-union of the clavicle and in a delayed union of the proximal fifth metatarsal in 2 elite soccer players. In both patients, the treatment sessions were performed with an ultrasound signal that was composed of a burst width of 200+/-10% mus containing 1.5+/-5% MHz sine waves, with a repeating rate of 1+/-10% kHz and a spatial average temporal intensity of 30+/-30% mW/cm2. The application of the ultrasound was performed by the patients at home for 20 min/day for 3 months. The healing of the non-union of the clavicle was followed by MR imaging and of the delayed union of the proximal fifth metatarsal by radiographs. In both of the cases the end-results were excellent and the players could continue playing at the highest level. The ultrasound method was successful and afforded players a quick return to sport activity.