Non-thermal ultrasound stimulates soft tissue and which of the following?

• A. Nerve regeneration
• B. Bone regeneration/repair
• C. Muscle hypertrophy
• D. Cartilage growth

Answer: (B)

Non-thermal ultrasound relies on pulsed mechanical energy to influence cells and tissue repair without increasing tissue temperature. Those mechanical effects—like acoustic streaming and microcavitation—modulate cell membranes, signaling pathways, and growth-factor activity, which can accelerate healing processes.

In the context of bone healing, pulsed low-intensity ultrasound has been shown to stimulate osteoblast activity, promote callus formation, and enhance blood vessel growth at fracture sites. This combination supports bone regeneration and repair, making it the best fit among the options.

Nerve regeneration, muscle hypertrophy, and cartilage growth are not the primary, well-established targets of non-thermal ultrasound in standard clinical practice, whereas bone healing has a widely recognized beneficial effect from this modality.