Effects of Therapeutic Ultrasound on Growth Plates: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate studies reporting on the effects of therapeutic ultrasound on the physis. Summary of Key Points: Eight studies were included in the final analysis, all of which were animal studies. At higher doses, studies found skin and bone necrosis and inhibition of growth, while in lower doses some studies found that ultrasound had a transient stimulatory effect on growth, increased thickness of the hypertrophic zone, and increased thickness of the whole growth plate. Overall, experimental evidence in animal models suggests that therapeutic ultrasound, even at low doses, might induce microscopic changes to the histology of the growth plate. Conclusion: While we found no reports of growth disturbance in humans, given the histological changes found in animal studies, the current limited literature seems to support the recommendation that the application of therapeutic ultrasound around the physis should be avoided.