Can we Promote Bone Lengthening With Vibration Therapy?

Overview

This research will assess whether vibration therapy can increase bone-growth in length of the shorter leg in children aged 6-12 years with pre-existing leg length difference (LLD) which is being treated with a heel-raise or orthotics. Children will be referred by orthopaedic and musculoskeletal clinics, physiotherapists and orthotists. Children will have monthly measurement of leg length (LL) over a 13 month period (4 months pre-treatment, 3 months treatment, 6 months post-treatment) using a portable Ultrasound-laser system which is safe, accurate, reproducible and validated against standing x-ray measurement. During the treatment phase they will be randomised to receive vibration therapy 3 times per week using a vibration platform at 30 Hz and very low amplitude of 0.4g (less than experienced when walking) or 30 Hz at 1.0 g (the same force as standing with the effect of gravity). The child will stand with the shorter leg on the platform and the longer leg on a stationary block for 15 minutes per treatment session. The aim is to assess the potential of this safe, non-invasive and potentially cost-effective method for levelling LL. If effective, the research could be extended in future to children with much larger LLD in whom it could potentially avoid the need for surgery and minimise long-term musculoskeletal disability.

Subjects with a documented treatment history for LLD will be recruited via orthopaedic, orthotic, physiotherapy and musculoskeletal clinical practitioners in London. All specialist practitioners and clinics across London will be informed about the study (via Practitioner/LLD Letter), asking them to forward information direct to eligible subjects . 20-25 subjects with pre-existing LLD who are undergoing treatment with shoe raises, heel-lifts or built-up shoes will be recruited. Parents receiving the Parental information sheet outlining the study are therein invited to contact the researchers who will arrange a baseline visit to the clinic. At this visit, the study will be discussed and all questions answered. If the child and family are willing to take part, written informed consent will be taken from the parent and assent from the child. Baseline measurements will be taken as below. Treatment of subjects: All subjects will have accurate LL measurement at baseline and then LL measurement monthly over 13 months (4 months pre-treatment, 3 months intervention and 6 months follow-up). Subjects at the 4th month will start intervention with LIV and will attend the clinic 3 times per week. Some subjects living further away will use a loaned LIV platform at home for treatment and will be trained in its correct use. They will be asked to send in weekly reports of the number of sessions and minutes per session on the platform. The research team will keep an accurate note of total time. Subjects who have a machine at home will be asked to use the treatment at least 3 times per week, but that they can use it once per day if they wish; they will be asked to record the exact time spent on the platform. All monthly leg-length measurements will take place at the study clinic at a time to suit the family. All subjects will use the following low intensity vibration intervention: 0.4 g and 30 Hz based on the fact that this is the 'low intensity vibration medical device' (LIVMD) machine, developed by Professor Clinton Rubin for use by NASA astronauts that conforms to all IS0 safety measures. The primary outcome measure will be the difference in LL growth of the treated vs. untreated leg over the intervention period. Height and weight of all subjects will be taken monthly and their level of physical activity (0-5) and any high-performance sports activity such as trampoline or plyometrics training (on a scale of 0-5) will be assessed by questionnaire. Previous lower limb dysfunction, injury, fracture or surgery, ongoing illness, drug treatment, growth hormone treatment or use of shoe heel-raise will also be assessed by questionnaire.