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Scientific reports2025; 15(1); 31697; doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-17424-0

Clinical study on the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on healing of proximal sesamoid bone fractures in Yili horses.

Abstract: The incidence of sports injuries in horses is increasing, thus accurate assessment, diagnosis, and treatment are critical. Among common sports-related injuries, proximal sesamoid bone fractures (PSBFs) are one of the most frequent types. To investigate the effects of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on imaging and hematological parameters of PSBFs, providing a clinical reference for the diagnosis and treatment of PSBFs in racehorses. After clinical diagnosis and radiographic examination confirmed the disease and its location, the affected horses were randomly divided into two groups: the ultrasound group received daily LIPUS treatment, while the control group received no intervention. After a four-week treatment, lameness grading, imaging, and hematological parameters were reassessed to evaluate PSBF healing and changes in blood indicators. Both imaging and hematological examinations play important clinical roles in the early diagnosis and later-stage evaluation of diseases. In this study, following LIPUS treatment, the affected horses showed significantly increased ALP activity in the serum, and higher levels of serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and the calcium-phosphorus product (Ca × P) (P < 0.05). Additionally, analysis of inflammatory cytokines revealed that the expression of pro-inflammatory markers, TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, were markedly elevated during the early stages of fracture but gradually returned to normal as treatment progressed. These findings suggest that LIPUS can accelerate healing by alleviating inflammation at the fracture site. This study found that LIPUS treatment of PSBFs significantly improved microcirculation at the fracture site and promoted efficient healing through enhanced callus formation and accelerated bone repair. This favorable outcome of LIPUS therapy provides a valuable clinical reference for future diagnosis and treatment of PSBFs.
© 2025. The Author(s).
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Publication Date: 2025-08-28 PubMed ID: 40877380PubMed Central: PMC12394538DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-17424-0Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

Overview

  • This study evaluated the impact of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) on healing proximal sesamoid bone fractures (PSBFs) in Yili horses by analyzing imaging, blood markers, and inflammation indicators.
  • The research demonstrated that LIPUS promotes faster recovery by improving bone repair, reducing inflammation, and enhancing microcirculation at the fracture site.

Background and Purpose

  • Sports injuries, particularly proximal sesamoid bone fractures (PSBFs), are common in racehorses and present diagnostic and treatment challenges.
  • Early diagnosis and effective treatment strategies are critical to improve outcomes and horse performance.
  • The study aimed to investigate how low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), a non-invasive physical therapy, affects healing in horses with PSBFs.
  • Specifically, researchers examined changes in imaging results and hematological (blood) parameters to assess healing progression and physiological effects of LIPUS.

Study Design and Methods

  • Involved Yili horses diagnosed with PSBF via clinical assessment and radiographic imaging.
  • Horses were randomly divided into two groups:
    • Ultrasound Group: Received daily LIPUS treatment on the fracture site.
    • Control Group: Received no ultrasound intervention.
  • After a four-week treatment period, researchers reassessed:
    • Lameness grading/scoring to evaluate functional recovery.
    • Imaging studies to visualize bone healing progress and callus formation.
    • Hematological tests measuring key biochemical markers and inflammatory cytokines.

Key Findings

  • Biochemical Changes:
    • Serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity significantly increased in treated horses, indicating enhanced bone formation.
    • Levels of serum calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), and the calcium-phosphorus product (Ca × P) rose significantly post-LIPUS treatment, reflecting active bone metabolism.
  • Inflammation Markers:
    • Pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were elevated during early fracture phases, showing inflammation at the injury site.
    • These cytokines declined toward normal levels over the treatment course, suggesting LIPUS helped resolve inflammation efficiently.
  • Imaging and Clinical Outcome:
    • Imaging showed improved callus formation and bone remodeling in the LIPUS group compared to controls.
    • Lameness scores improved, indicating better functional recovery with LIPUS intervention.
  • LIPUS was associated with improved microcirculation at the fracture site, which likely facilitated nutrient delivery and waste removal essential for healing.

Clinical Implications

  • The study supports using LIPUS as a beneficial adjunct therapy for PSBFs in racehorses, contributing to faster and more efficient healing.
  • Non-invasive LIPUS can reduce inflammation early post-injury, enhancing the healing environment.
  • Improved hematological markers provide measurable indicators for monitoring treatment progress in clinical settings.
  • This approach potentially minimizes downtime and improves prognosis for athletic horses sustaining such fractures.
  • The findings offer valuable clinical references to veterinary practitioners managing similar cases of equine bone injury.

Summary

  • This clinical study demonstrated that low-intensity pulsed ultrasound accelerates healing of proximal sesamoid bone fractures by enhancing bone metabolism, reducing inflammation, and improving microcirculation at the injury site in Yili horses.
  • LIPUS presents a promising, non-invasive treatment method that improves outcomes in fracture management for racehorses, supporting its broader adoption in veterinary sports medicine.

Cite This Article

APA
Zhang Z, Li J, Mai Z, Yang Y, Fu H, Cao X, Li T, Guo Q, Ma Y. (2025). Clinical study on the effect of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound on healing of proximal sesamoid bone fractures in Yili horses. Sci Rep, 15(1), 31697. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-17424-0

Publication

Scientific reports
ISSN: 2045-2322
NlmUniqueID: 101563288
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 15
Issue: 1
Pages: 31697
PII: 31697

Researcher Affiliations

Zhang, Zhiyuan
  • College of Animal Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China.
Li, Jianlong
  • College of Animal Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China.
Mai, Zhanhai
  • College of Animal Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China.
Yang, Yang
  • College of Animal Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China.
Fu, Han
  • College of Animal Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China.
Cao, Xiongjian
  • College of Animal Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China.
Li, Tianqing
  • College of Animal Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China.
Guo, Qingyong
  • College of Animal Medicine, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi, 830052, Xinjiang, China. dygqy@edu.xjau.cn.
Ma, Yuhui
  • XingJiang Zhaosu County Xiyu Horse Industry Co., Ltd, Yili, 835600, Xinjiang, China. mayuhuim@126.com.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses
  • Sesamoid Bones / injuries
  • Sesamoid Bones / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Bone / therapy
  • Fractures, Bone / veterinary
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Fracture Healing
  • Ultrasonic Therapy / methods
  • Ultrasonic Waves
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Male
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Female

Grant Funding

  • ZYYD2023C03-3 / Department of Science and Technology of the Autonomous Region
  • 202301-202412 / Department of Science and Technology of the Autonomous Region
  • 2022A02013-2-7 / Major Science and Technology Special Project of the Autonomous Region
  • 20221201-20251231 / Major Science and Technology Special Project of the Autonomous Region

Conflict of Interest Statement

Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethical approval: The animal study protocol was approved by the Animal Welfare and Ethics Committee of Xinjiang Agricultural University (Approval Number: 2024028; Date 27 December 2024).

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