Enhanced fracture healing with pulsed electromagnetic field

ABSTRACT

Our study was designed to examine the effect of pulsed electromagnetic field [PEMF], capacitative technique, on the healing of fractures at different stages. Forty-four patients were included in the study. They were divided into three groups. The first group comprised twenty-three patients who were subjected to PEMF after application of plaster cast [early treatment group]. The second included six patients who received PEMF after removal of the cast at 8 weeks [late treatment group]. The third group comprised fifteen patients who were only treated with fixation in plaster cast and served as a control group. The three groups were investigated using cross-sectional osteocalcin level at the start and at 8 and 12 weeks. Plain x-rays were done every 2 weeks and bone mineral density [BMD] was assessed with the quantitative CT of periosteal callus and expressed as F [fracture] / N [normal]% at 8 and 12 weeks. Laboratory and radiological data were statistically analyzed. We concluded that PEMF accelerates bone healing as there was a statistically significant difference in osteocalcin level between early treated patients and controls at 8 weeks and a highly significant difference at 12 weeks for patients who continued treatment. Late treatment patients were found to have increased osteocalcin level too. Radiological results confirmed the laboratory results for the positive effect of PEMF on bone healing. We recommend the use of PEMF for enhancement of fracture healing in cases of delayed union and in old age