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Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on soft tissue micro-circulation in the foot

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Abstract

Purpose

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been shown to accelerate bone healing and is considered to increase blood flow. The aim of this study was to assess changes in micro-circulation of the foots’ soft tissue in response to LIPUS intervention. We hypothesised improved micro-circulation in response to LIPUS.

Methods

Micro-circulation was assessed in 2 mm and 8 mm-deep skin of 50 healthy volunteers using non-invasive laser-doppler spectrophotometry (O2C-device). Measurements were performed before LIPUS-intervention (pre), directly after intervention (post) and 20, 40 and 60 minutes after LIPUS.

Results

All parameter of micro-circulation increased directly after LIPUS intervention at 8 mm depth. Participants with a low pre-intervention flow showed the largest changes (p < 0.001) with an increased post-flow of 38%. SO2 levels increased significantly after intervention (p = 0.045) and decreased after 60 minutes in comparison to pre-intervention status. rHb levels after 60 min were significantly higher in comparison to pre-intervention levels.

Conclusion

In healthy volunteers, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound led to significant short-term changes in microcirculation of the foot. Younger subjects with a low pre-flow level and smokers showed a higher potential to increase blood flow after LIPUS.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Daniel Timo Behrens for his consultation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Trauma, University of Aachen Medical Center, 30 Pauwelsstreet, 52074, Aachen, Germany

    Anna Katharina Kösters, Bergita Ganse & Matthias Knobe

  2. AO Research Institute Davos, Davos, Switzerland

    Boyko Gueorguiev

  3. Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Catholic Hospital Mainz, Mainz, Germany

    Kajetan Klos

  4. Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Aachen Medical Center, Aachen, Germany

    Ali Modabber

  5. Department of Radiology, University of Aachen Medical Center, Aachen, Germany

    Sven Nebelung

  6. Department of Plastic Surgery, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, University of Aachen Medical Center, Aachen, Germany

    Bong-Sung S. Kim

Authors
  1. Anna Katharina Kösters
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  2. Bergita Ganse
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  3. Boyko Gueorguiev
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  4. Kajetan Klos
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  8. Matthias Knobe
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Matthias Knobe.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding

None.

Ethical approval

Ethics committee of the RWTH Aachen University Hospital, ethics approval EK 346/14.

Informed consent

Each author certifies that his or her institution approved the human protocol for this investigation, that all investigations were conducted in conformity with the ethical principles of research, and that informed consent for participation in the study was obtained.

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Kösters, A.K., Ganse, B., Gueorguiev, B. et al. Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on soft tissue micro-circulation in the foot. International Orthopaedics (SICOT) 41, 2067–2074 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-017-3574-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-017-3574-3

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