My wife has suffered a transverse fracture of her foot in the metatarsil behind her little toe. The orthopedic doc reccommended the use of an ultrasound bone healing system by Exogen, in addition to a boot device. I understand that this sort of fracture, which is across the bone rather than, than longitudinal is difficult to heal. Wife is 70 yo and not diabetic.

Does this device provide a real benefit and is this a practical and effective treatment?

A sales person came to the house and I wasn’t there when she arrived. I came in just before she left. My antenna immediatly went up at her answers to my questions. As a retired purchasing agent, I do not tolerates sales speils and am immediatley suspecious when my direct questions are dodged by canned statements designed to conceal the real finacial and contractural aspects of the item.

Apparrently insurance doesn’t cover and SS “may” cover it a part of it. It may well be an effective treatment and worth the excessive price but the sales method screams “snake oil” to me.

Any experiance and knowledge of this device? Any info would be appreciated.

I used one on a broken collarbone. It legitimately seemed to speed healing in my case with the collarbone shattered in a handful of pieces.

If they sent a salesman to your house....I would say not. Hard to heal fractures and very expensive for insurance companies. If the thing worked, why wouldn't they be issued thru your provider? Wouldn't that SAVE them money? I'd have a talk with the doc and find out just how the hell they got your information. Sounds like a potential HIPA violation.

I know they work....hubby broke his ankle at work, work comp sucks here. Dr practically ignored him, put him in an air cast, and he had two breaks. Would not heal. Long story short, he was on crutches for 6months. Finally got to see a new ortho, and the new one was shocked over the mis treatment. Got a bone growth stimulator, and he used it twice a day. Started healing, and within a month you could see the difference. Prior X-rays before showed absolutely no healing from just wearing the cast, but after using the stimulator, you could tell it was finally healing. He could finally put weight on it a month after using it.

Am I correct to assume this is akin to a therapeutic laser? If so, they're used in veterinary medicine with varying degrees of success. Even for some arthritic dogs, using it a couple times a week has them improving to the same level that heavy NSAID use does, without all the liver side effects.

On our end, the story appears to be the stimulation not only bringing in new vessel growth at a faster rate, but also stimulation of key healing/growth factors. I'm unfortunately a bit of a dummy on the subject, but I do know that virtually every vet school has one and use them.

Yes, they work. DW has used one after spinal fusion. Essential tool for bone growth. They always use good looking young men or women to bring them and teach you how to use them.

Most bone stimulators are microcurrent devices, and work well. I am not familiar with US units. Cold lasers also work well, but are totally different.

Some (very cheap) bone stimulators do not work well, and are a sham.

In our case, the Ortho MD recommended the bone stimulator and his office provided the contact for the sales person. Wife called and they sent the rep. Doc said the type of break, lateral through the bone, would be well served by the device.

The prob is with me. Anytime a sales rap sounds evasive and full of crap, you know like a zig zigler accolyte, my professional purchasing alarms go off. When I ask a yes or no question I expect a yes/no ans from the salesman. I don’t want a tap dance first.


I’m encoraged by the reply that says it helped.

There's a good chance the salesdroid doesn't really know the product all that well. Why don't you call them and ask to talk to a knowledgeable sales rep?

The bone stimulator is basically an ultrasound generator.

They are essentially the same device used in physical therapy "deep heat" therapy adapted to home use.

The ultrasound generates heat in the damaged area, increasing blood flow to the area.

So, yes, it is a legitament treatment and can be very effective.

Did nothing for me on a fractured foot.

Bob

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
There's a good chance the salesdroid doesn't really know the product all that well.

I know nothing about the devices, but there can be a danger in focusing too much on the messenger rather than the message. I’ve purchased perfectly good guns from sales reps who hardly knew a hammer from a hamster.

Here’s an article about bone growth stimulators:

https://www.podiatrytoday.com/...c-surgery-procedures

I know my bride would think I cared little about her if I was too stingy to buy a medical device that a MD prescribed to help her broken bones heal. It would probably badly hurt her feelings.

Worked for my wife when he had a fracture of the distal fibulae. Difficult area to heal as is blood supply is limited in that area.

Simple device that is used 1-2X per day.

Obviously no control group at our house.... but finger in the wind..... seemed to speed healing and help.

Andrew

My son, USMC, just got one to speed up an injury prior to deployment. He said the Navy guys were really big on them, too.

I used a device for almost a year (reconstructed fractures from shoulder to elbow). The orthopedic specialist estimated without it recovery would have taken twice as long and the fractures may not heal as thoroughly. I didn't have to buy it though. My employers Risk Management Division leased it since it was duty related.

Yes, they work. Also called microcurrent machines. 2:1 increase in healing rate, but excess use could cause problems.

I swear, there is noting you cannot find here on SIGforum.

This was just recommended for my Mother, in the recovery/rehab of a broken femur.

I was unaware of this option until last week, and now it shows up on SIGforum.

Thanks for all replys!

Here’s the phone number for Bioventus Customer Service, they may be able to tell you if your insurance covers the cost:
tel:1-800-836-4080

This is a link to the Physicians’ website FAQ page:
Link