Your questions answered
- Is EXOGEN right for my condition?
- When should EXOGEN not be used?
- How is it used?
- Can I use it myself?
- Is it painful?
- How often do I need to use it?
- Are there any side-effects when using EXOGEN?
- How long will my non-union take to heal?
- Can I use it if I already have a cast applied?
- Can I use it if I have already had an operation?
- Can I use it if I am taking other medication?
- Can I use it if I have an infected bone?
- Can I use it if I have an ‘external fixator' on my bone?
- Can I use EXOGEN if I have cancer?
- How can I get EXOGEN?
- How can I get more information?
Your physician will ultimately determine if EXOGEN is right for you, but you may be a candidate for EXOGEN if:
- Your broken bone does not appear to be showing any visible signs of healing (non-union)
- Your broken bone is taking longer to heal than normal (delayed union)
- Your broken bone has been fixed by surgery or metal implants but it still is not healed or healing
- You have a recently broken bone (fresh fracture)
People with implanted devices, such as Pacemakers, can be affected by the low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS). EXOGEN treatment is not indicated for use in patients who are still growing (such as children) and is also not approved for use in the vertebrae or skull. Your doctor or surgeon can determine if treatment with EXOGEN is right for you.
Simply place the strap over where your bone is broken (fracture site) and place the small head of the unit (transducer) on your skin with a small amount of gel applied and push the ‘Start' button. The EXOGEN unit will then work for 20 minutes before turning itself off.
Yes, the EXOGEN unit is designed to be applied by you at home.
The EXOGEN unit comes with simple instructions that shows you, using pictures, how to apply the low intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS). It is supplied with all the equipment you need and has been designed to be very easy to use, for a quick instruction guide please click here.
EXOGEN is a once daily treatment for broken bones. It should be used at a time that is convenient for you and fits into your daily routine. This usually means that the EXOGEN unit is applied for 20 minutes at the same time every day.
EXOGEN has been shown to be safe to use and has been used on hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide. No device related adverse reactions or medical complications related to the use of this device were reported during the clinical studies. Some patients have experienced mild skin irritation caused by skin sensitivity to the coupling gel. Resolution can be obtained by a change of coupling medium to mineral oil or glycerin.
The amount of time EXOGEN will need to heal your broken bone will depend on many things like:
- Age and location of the fracture
- Your lifestyle
- Your medication
- Your health
These things all have an effect on fracture healing but you can still use EXOGEN. For people who smoke EXOGEN may stimulate your healing process back to a more normal level12.
Studies have shown that even in broken bones that show no visibly progressive signs of healing (non-unions) EXOGEN is used everyday for an average of about 5 months3.
Yes, a small hole is made in the cast by your doctor, in which you place the transducer head during treatment.
Yes, there is documented use of EXOGEN with infected bone13. EXOGEN should not be applied at the same site as broken or infected skin. Please consult your physician for guidance on where to place the treatment head if you have any concerns.
Yes, EXOGEN has shown good results when used in conjunction with metal fixation of fractures8.
The impact of EXOGEN on "pathological fractures" is unknown and caution is advised.
EXOGEN is available directly from Smith & Nephew with a referral from your physician. Click here to contact us today.
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