Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound as a Potential Adjuvant Therapy to Promote Spinal Fusion

Despite extensive research, nonunion continues to affect a nontrivial proportion of patients undergoing spinal fusion. Recently, preclinical studies have suggested that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) may increase rates of spinal fusion. In this study, we summarized the available in vivo literature evaluating the effect of LIPUS on spinal fusion and performed a meta-analysis of the available data to estimate the degree to which LIPUS may mediate higher fusion rates. Across 13 preclinical studies, LIPUS was associated with a 9-fold increase in the odds of successful spinal fusion. Future studies are necessary to establish the benefit of LIPUS on spinal fusion in clinical populations.