(HealthNewsDigest.com) - Broken bones. It's without doubt that you, or someone you know, has had a broken bone, also known as a fracture, during their lifetime. The actual time bones need to heal depends on a number of variables, including injury location, severity and patient risk factors such as smoking, diabetes, poor nutrition and some medications. In addition, a good blood supply, which delivers oxygen, nutrients and cells to the fracture site, is critical to healing.

Most fractures heal without a problem. On rare occasions, bones don't heal as expected; a fracture that fails to improve and requires additional treatment is called a "nonunion."

Once diagnosed with a nonunion, a patient faces two choices: a surgical or nonsurgical treatment. A bone stimulator is a nonsurgical option that delivers low-intensity pulsed ultrasound, capacitive coupling, direct current or electromagnetic waves to the fracture site. These daily treatments stimulate the body's own ability to heal the nonunion.

Cost, convenience and recovery are all factors that influence decisions for treatment of nonunions. In the U.S., the cost of surgery for a nonunion averages $11,000 while the cost of a low-intensity pulsed ultrasound bone stimulator averages $4,000.1 Add the inherent risks of surgery (blood clots, infection, etc.) and time needed to recuperate into the equation, and choosing a bone stimulator becomes a first option for many patients.

For those patients who experience a nonunion, there is a safe, easy-to-use and effective product to help the healing process. It's called the EXOGEN® Ultrasound Bone Healing System. EXOGEN is a unique, FDA-approved device that delivers low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) to the fracture site.

In clinical studies, a 20-minute daily treatment with EXOGEN healed 86%2 of stubborn-to-heal nonunion bone fractures without additional surgery. Patients use the device to treat themselves at home or wherever is most convenient and successful treatments take an average of 143 days2, depending on the severity of the fracture, to see positive results.

EXOGEN may help a patient get back to the activities they enjoy most-in less time, with less hassle than surgery; which is likely to improve the medical outcome for the patient and reduce the financial burden on society.1 To learn more about EXOGEN, ask your doctor or visit www.betterbonehealing.com/us.

1. Mehta S, Long K, DeKoven M, Smith E, Steen RG. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) can decrease the economic burden of fracture nonunion. Journal of Medical Economics, 2015:18:7, 542-549.

2. Nolte PA, van der Krans A, Patka P, et al. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound in the treatment of nonunions. J Trauma. 2001;51(4):693_703.

EXOGEN is a registered trademark of Bioventus LLC.

*Summary of Indications for Use: The EXOGEN Ultrasound Bone Healing System is indicated for the non-invasive treatment of established non-unions† excluding skull and vertebra.

In addition, EXOGEN is indicated for accelerating the time to a healed fracture for fresh, closed, posteriorly displaced distal radius fractures and fresh, closed or Grade I open tibial diaphysis fractures in skeletally mature individuals when these fractures are orthopaedically managed by closed reduction and cast immobilization.

There are no known contraindications for the EXOGEN device. Safety and effectiveness has not been established for individuals lacking skeletal maturity; pregnant or nursing women; patients with cardiac pacemakers; on fractures due to bone cancer; or on patients with poor blood circulation or clotting problems. Some patients may be sensitive to the ultrasound gel. Full prescribing information can be found in product labeling, at www.exogen.com or by contacting customer service at 1-800-836-4080.

†A nonunion is considered to be established when the fracture site shows no visibly progressive signs of healing.

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