Ultrasound and shockwave therapy for acute fractures in adults

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: To assess the effects of any ultrasound therapy used as part of the treatment of acute fractures in adults. We will make the following comparisons: Low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) versus control (sham ultrasound or none). High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFUS) versus control (sham ultrasound or none) Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ECSW) versus control (sham ultrasound or none) All patients would receive a standard-of-care treatment which is the definitive treatment routinely used in clinical practice for treating the fracture. For example, including but not limited to, non-surgical treatment, such as plaster cast immobilisation, and surgical treatment such as external or internal fixation, using various devices such as intramedullary nailing.