A new method for evaluation of fracture healing by echo tracking.

Assessment of bone healing on radiographs depends on the volume and radio-opacity of callus at the healing site, but is not necessarily objective, and there are differences of judgment among observers. To overcome this disadvantage, a clinical system was developed to quantify the stiffness of healing fractures of the tibia in patients by the echo tracking (ET) method in a manner similar to a three-point bending test. The purpose of this study was to ensure that the ET system could clinically assess the progress, delay or arrest of healing. The fibular head and the lateral malleolus were supported. A 7.5-MHz ultrasound probe was placed on the proximal and distal fragments and a load of 25 N was applied. Five tracking points were set along the long axis of the ultrasound probe at intervals of 10 mm. With a multiple ET system, two probes measured the displacement of five tracking points on each of the proximal and distal fragments of the tibia, thereby detecting the bending of the two fragments generated by the load. ET angle was defined as the sum of the inclinations of the proximal and distal fragments. Eight tibial fractures in seven patients treated by a cast or internal fixation were measured over time. In patients with radiographically normal healing, the bending angle decreased exponentially over time. However, in patients with nonunion, the angle remained the same over time. It was demonstrated that the ET method could be clinically applicable to evaluate fracture healing as a versatile, quantitative and noninvasive technique.