The effects of pulsed electromagnetic field on healing of tibia and fibula fractures in rats / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the effects of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) in promoting tibia and fibula fracture healing in rats. Methods Thirty rats were divided randomly into two groups after establishing the animal model of artificial tibia and fibula fracture a PEMF treated group and a control group. Radiographs were taken immediately postoperatively and once a week thereafter until being sacrificed after week 5. The blood was sampled to measure the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and the concentration of bone gamma-carboxyglutamic-acid-con-taining proteins (BGP), calcium and phosphate in serum once a week, respectively. Histological sections were taken at weeks 3 and 5 to observe the pathological change of bony callus. Results PEMF of 15 Hz and 1.0 mT could sig-nificantly increase the amount of bony callus, significantly increase the amount of bony callus, promote the disappea-ring of fracture lines and the appearance of endochondral ossification and mature bone trabecula. The amount of colla-gen in bony callus raised and the process of callus moulding accelerated in PEMF treated group. In addition, the ac-tivity of ALP(P<0.04) and the concentration of BGP(P<0.05) in serum increased. Conclusions The PEMF of 15 Hz and 1.0 mT can obviously promote fracture healing of tibia and fibula in rats.