Brian and his staff use some of the best modern equipment available in order to achieve effective and fast results for the treatment of fractures and all other soft tissue injuries.

The use of Pulsed Magnetic Fields to aid the healing of bones has long been practised with good results, particularly when applied to delayed or non-union fractures. The American FDA approved the use of PMFT in the treatment of recent and non-union fractures in 1979.

The treatment is non-invasive and involves inducing low frequency electric currents in bone by using a pulsed magnetic field. It is defined in the treatment of fractures as ‘the use of time varying magnetic fields that induce voltage wave-form patterns in bone similar to those resulting from weight-bearing’.

Magnetic fields will penetrate most things, so a POP is no obstacle for treatment using this modality. The physiotherapist will mark the appropriate area using any x-rays available as a guide. Please be assured that even without x-rays, we will tend to know where your fracture will be by the way that you have been managed. For example, by what surgery you have had or by what type of POP you are in. The presence of metal work is also no obstacle for this treatment.

Please see the following literature review, written by Brian Simpson MCSP, which will give you a much more thorough understanding of treatment using Pulsed Magnetic Fields.

“Laser” stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. Some lasers are used in direct contact with the skin as they produce a divergent beam. Our lasers emit a non-divergent beam which means that they do not need to be in contact with the skin to achieve the same effect as there is no loss of power to the surrounding area. The lasers used in our clinic are 3 W and 5W lasers and so are extremely powerful.

Research shows that the use of these lasers causes those cells which lay down bone (osteoblasts) to work more efficiently and those cells that eat away at bone (osteoclasts) to work less. We know this because osteoblast activity will produce a chemical called Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and we can see an increase in the levels of ALP when using the laser. Also, we see a reduction in the levels of Tartrate Resistant Acid Phosphatase (TRAP) which is expressed when there is osteoclastic activity. Therefore, you have more bone forming cells than bone ‘eating’ cells.

You will be required to wear protective goggles whilst the laser is working as the radiation can potentially cause eye damage if you stare at the beam without your goggles.  

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound aims to speed up fracture healing by stimulating bone cells to grow and repair. This involves a short daily treatment (normally 20 minutes) using an ultrasound probe that is placed on the skin at the site of the fracture, so it is non-invasive and you do not feel anything during treatment.

Current evidence on the efficacy of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound for promotion of fracture healing is adequate to show that this procedure can reduce fracture healing time, particularly in circumstances of delayed healing. It is also useful in cases of recent fractures.

The LIPUS cannot be used through a POP unless a small window is cut into it so we have access to the skin over the fracture.

LIPUS can also be used to treat soft tissues, such as Achilles tendonitis.

There are no major safety concerns with regards to this treatment.

Brian is currently writing an article about the therapeutic effects of LIPUS and this will be added to the website once published

Oxygen is transported dissolved in the blood and also in combination with haemoglobin in the red blood cells. Although haemoglobin carries most of the oxygen, it is only the dissolved oxygen that passes into the tissues. Breathing pure oxygen under hyperbaric conditions increases the amount of oxygen dissolved in blood plasma by up to 10 times. Therefore more oxygen in the blood plasma is able to reach areas where the circulation is diminished or blocked and so aids recovery. The extra oxygen has additional effects because it greatly enhances the ability of white blood cells to kill bacteria. It also reduces swelling and allows new blood vessels to grow more rapidly into the affected areas.

HBO is widely used for the treatment of fractures, skin burns and also Multiple Sclerosis. A hyperbaric chamber is needed to allow the pressure around the body to be increased. We all live under the pressure of the atmosphere and the extra pressure required for this treatment is small. It normally involves breathing pure oxygen in a chamber at 1.5 to 2.5 times normal atmospheric pressure for an hour each treatment. The technology is very well established, as all commercial aircraft are effectively hyperbaric chambers equipped with oxygen breathing systems.

What are the treatments like?

The frequency of treatments will depend upon your condition.  Your physiotherapist will go through this with you prior to treatment and advise you about how many treatments would be beneficial to you.

Side effects

These treatments will often involve a variety of modalities in order to reduce pain and inflammation and to get you back to your activity more quickly. Each condition is initially assessed and then treated accordingly. You will be informed of what treatment options there are available after your initial assessment before any treatment is carried out.

Treatments may include: