Stimulating Bone Healing When Fractures Fail to Mend
Most fractures heal within a predictable timeframe—typically six to twelve weeks depending on the bone and the severity of the break. However, in a small percentage of cases, the bone fails to heal as expected. When a fracture shows no signs of healing progression after three to six months, it is classified as a non-union fracture.
Non-union fractures are both frustrating and debilitating. Because the bone remains painful and weak, it cannot tolerate normal loading, which significantly limits your mobility and delays your return to work, sport, and daily life. While surgical intervention—often involving bone grafting and metal fixation—has traditionally been the primary option, effective non-invasive alternatives are now available.
Specialist Bone Healing in Waterlooville
At The Physiotherapy Centre, we offer a specialized, evidence-based protocol for non-union fractures using Focused Shockwave Therapy combined with EMTT (Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy). These technologies work together to stimulate bone healing at a cellular level, encouraging the body to restart the repair process without the need for further surgery.
We regularly see patients from Widley, Purbrook, Waterlooville, Cosham, Havant, and Petersfield who are looking for a way to bridge the gap in their recovery. Whether used as an alternative to surgery or as a complement to surgical management, our goal is to get your healing back on track and return you to full function.
Understanding Non-Union Fractures
What Is a Non-Union Fracture?
A non-union fracture occurs when the normal healing process stalls and the bone fails to knit together. There are two main types:
- Hypertrophic non-union: The body is attempting to heal the bone (visible on X-ray as abundant callus formation), but the fracture site lacks sufficient stability for the healing process to complete. This type responds particularly well to mechanical stimulation from shockwave therapy.
- Atrophic non-union: The healing response is minimal or absent, with little callus formation visible on imaging. This type may involve poor blood supply to the fracture site, and treatment aims to stimulate both blood vessel growth and new bone formation.
Why Do Some Fractures Fail to Heal?
Several factors can contribute to non-union, including insufficient blood supply to the fracture site, instability at the fracture (too much movement between the bone ends), a gap between the fracture fragments, infection at the fracture site, poor nutritional status (particularly low calcium, vitamin D, or protein), smoking (significantly impairs bone healing), certain medications (long-term corticosteroids, some anti-inflammatory drugs), and underlying medical conditions (diabetes, vascular disease).
How Is Non-Union Diagnosed?
Non-union is typically diagnosed by your orthopaedic surgeon or GP based on imaging (X-ray or CT scan) showing an absence of healing progression over several months. You will usually have been monitored through a series of follow-up appointments following your original fracture.
If you have been told your fracture is not healing as expected, or if you are still experiencing pain at the fracture site several months after injury, treatment at our clinic may be appropriate.
How We Treat Non-Union Fractures
This protocol offers a sophisticated, non-surgical pathway for one of the most challenging conditions we treat. By explaining the synergy between mechanical (Shockwave) and electromagnetic (EMTT) stimulation, you provide patients with the clinical rationale they need to feel confident in this technology.
Here is that content in our established flow:
Combined Focused Shockwave and EMTT Protocol
At our clinic, we utilize a dual-technology approach to restart the healing process in non-union fractures. By combining these two distinct forms of energy, we address the biological “stalling” of the bone from multiple angles.
- Focused Shockwave Therapy: Unlike standard radial shockwave, Focused Shockwave delivers high-energy acoustic waves to a precise point deep within the fracture site. This mechanical stimulus promotes the formation of new blood vessels (neovascularisation) and stimulates osteoblasts—the specific cells responsible for building new bone. It essentially “shocks” the localized area into restarting a healing response.
- EMTT (Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy): While shockwave provides mechanical energy, EMTT provides a high-energy oscillating magnetic field. This penetrates deeply into the bone and surrounding tissues to promote cell proliferation and enhance the production of natural growth factors.
The combination of both mechanical and electromagnetic stimulation produces a significantly more comprehensive healing response than either treatment could achieve alone.
The Treatment Programme
Treatment is entirely non-invasive—there are no incisions, no anaesthetic, and no downtime required. A typical course involves six to eight sessions, spaced one to two weeks apart. Each session lasts approximately 30 to 45 minutes, allowing you to return to your normal daily routine immediately afterward.
Your progress is monitored through two parallel tracks:
- Clinical Milestones: We track your pain levels, your ability to bear weight, and your functional mobility throughout the course of treatment.
- Follow-up Imaging: We work alongside your GP or Consultant to review follow-up imaging (X-rays or CT scans) to confirm the structural progression of the bone healing.
Rehabilitation Alongside Treatment
Healing the bone is only half the battle; we must also ensure the rest of your body is ready for a return to activity. Where appropriate, your sessions are combined with a targeted rehabilitation programme. This focuses on maintaining muscle strength, joint mobility, and cardiovascular fitness, ensuring that once the fracture is confirmed as healed, you have the physical foundation to return to work, sport, or daily life immediately.
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
At The Physiotherapy Centre, we understand that when your healing has stalled, you want a clear path forward. Your initial consultation is the first step in restarting that process.
Your First Appointment: What to Expect
Practicalities for your visit:
- Clinical Review: Your first appointment involves a thorough review of your fracture history and any previous treatments. Your clinician will assess the fracture site and explain the combined Focused Shockwave and EMTT protocol in detail.
- What to bring: Please bring all relevant X-ray or CT scan reports and any consultant letters you have received. Having the full imaging history is vital for us to target the treatment precisely.
- First Treatment: If our assessment confirms that the protocol is appropriate for you, we will often carry out your first treatment session during this initial appointment.
- Sensations during treatment: The Focused Shockwave component may cause some discomfort at the fracture site—this is a normal sign that the waves are reaching the target bone tissue. We always adjust the intensity to your tolerance. The EMTT component is entirely painless.
Honesty in Recovery
We believe in realistic expectations, particularly when dealing with complex bone healing. While Focused Shockwave and EMTT are powerful tools to restart the biological healing process, bone tissue requires time to bridge and mature.
Your clinician will provide an honest assessment of your prognosis. We typically look for clinical improvements—such as reduced pain and increased weight-bearing—within the first few sessions, but structural bone changes on imaging usually take several weeks or months to become visible. We are here to support you through the entire timeline, from the first pulse of energy to your final return to activity.
Pricing and Appointments
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Initial Assessment £89 (60 minutes)
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Follow-Up Sessions
Pricing depends on the combination of treatments used — contact the clinic for details.
We are recognised providers for Bupa, AXA PPP, Aviva, WPA, and Cigna.
Conveniently Located in Waterlooville
- The Physiotherapy Centre 96 London Road, Widley, Waterlooville, Hampshire, PO7 5AB
- Opening Hours: Mon: 8.00–7.00 | Tue: 8.00–7.30 | Wed: 8.00–8.00 | Thu: 8.00–7.00 | Fri: 8.00–5.00 | Sat: 8.30–1.00
- We serve patients from Widley, Purbrook, Waterlooville, Cosham, Havant, and Petersfield. The clinic is on the old A3 / London Road, just north of Portsdown Hill, near the Hampshire Rose pub. The No. 8 bus (Bushy Mead) stops just up the road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can shockwave therapy really help a fracture heal?
Yes. Focused shockwave therapy for non-union fractures has been studied for over two decades and is supported by clinical evidence showing healing rates of 60–80% in appropriately selected cases. It works by stimulating the biological processes involved in bone repair — new blood vessel formation, osteoblast activation, and growth factor release.
Is this treatment an alternative to surgery?
For many patients, yes. Combined shockwave and EMTT can avoid the need for surgical intervention and its associated risks, downtime, and recovery period. However, it is not suitable for all types of non-union — particularly where significant instability or infection is present. Your clinician will assess whether non-surgical treatment is appropriate for your specific fracture.
How many sessions will I need?
A typical course is six to eight sessions, spaced one to two weeks apart. Some patients respond more quickly, while others may require additional sessions. Your progress is monitored through follow-up imaging and clinical assessment.
When will I know if the treatment is working?
Pain at the fracture site often reduces within the first few sessions. Radiographic evidence of healing (visible on X-ray) typically takes longer — often six to twelve weeks after completing the treatment course. Your GP or consultant will arrange follow-up imaging.
Is the treatment painful?
The focused shockwave component causes some discomfort at the fracture site during treatment, which most patients describe as a deep aching sensation. The intensity is gradually increased and adjusted to your tolerance. EMTT is painless. There is no significant post-treatment pain.
Do I need a referral from my surgeon?
A referral is not required to book an appointment, but we strongly recommend discussing this treatment option with your orthopaedic surgeon. It is helpful to bring your imaging and surgical notes so that your clinician has the full picture.
Can smoking affect the success of treatment?
Yes. Smoking significantly impairs bone healing by reducing blood flow to the fracture site. If you smoke, you will be advised that quitting or reducing smoking substantially improves the likelihood of successful healing with any treatment — including shockwave and EMTT.
Is this treatment available on the NHS?
Focused shockwave therapy for non-union fractures is available at some NHS centres, but access is limited and waiting times can be long. Private treatment at our clinic allows you to start without delay.
What if the treatment does not work?
If healing has not progressed after a full course of treatment, surgical options remain available. Shockwave and EMTT do not compromise future surgical intervention. Your clinician will discuss this with you and coordinate with your surgeon if needed.
Can this be used alongside surgical treatment?
Yes. In some cases, shockwave and EMTT are used as an adjunct to surgical fixation to support and enhance bone healing. This is coordinated with your orthopaedic team.
Team