Effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) treatment in post-operative scaphoid delayed unions or nonunions: multi-institutional prospective randomized controlled trial

INTERVENTION: The scaphoid delayed unions or nonunions were treated with internal screw fixation with bone grafting The scaphoid delayed unions or nonunions were treated with internal screw fixation with bone grafting, and LIPUS treatment was started within ten days after surgery and consisted on one twenty‐minute period each day for 16 weeks after surgery. CONDITION: scaphoid delayed unions and nonunions PRIMARY OUTCOME: The end‐point of the study is a healed period of the scaphoid delayed unions or nonunions, as judged on CT examination SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1) Functional outcomes are assessed with the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand Japanese version (DASH‐JSSH) ; 2) The study is a healed period of the scaphoid delayed unions or nonunions, as judged on radiographic examination ; 3) Functional outcomes are assessed with the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain ; 4) Functional outcomes are assessed with the grip strength improvement at pre‐operation, and 16 weeks after operation period. ; 5) Functional outcomes are assessed with the Range of motion of the wrist improvement at pre‐operation, and 16 weeks after operation period. INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1) The primary scaphoid delayed union or nonunion surgery with internal screw fixation with bone grafting 2) The patients aged between 16 and 64 years are recruied