ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of low-magnitude high-frequency vibration (LMHFV) on osteoporotic fracture healing and blood supply of distal injured limbs based on osteoporosis fracture model of the ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Methods Ovariectomy was performed in 32 six-month-old female SD rats. 3 months later, closed transverse fractures were created at the right femoral midshafts complicated by femoral artery injuries. The rats were then randomly divided into vibration group and control group. Radiographs were performed in each week to assess the callus size and the status of fracture healing. At 2nd, 4th and 8th week after treatment, pulsed-wave Doppler ultrasonography was utilized to evaluate the blood flow velocity and the resistance index (RI) of the distal femoral artery in injured limbs. The peri-fracture region was reconstructed by Micro-CT for both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Results Pulsed-wave Doppler indicated a significantly higher peak systolic velocity of distal femoral artery in vibration group at 2nd and 4th week (P<0.05) and a lower RI as compared with control group.Radiography and Micro-CT analysis demonstrated that vibration group had better callus formation, mineralization, remodeling, and bridging rate during fracture healing as compared with control group. Conclusions LMHFV can effectively improve the blood supply of distal injured limbs and promote the osteoporotic fracture healing.
