Effect of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields Stimulation on the Repair of Peripheral Nerve / 中华骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Aim: To study the effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields(PEMF) stimulation on the repair of rats grafted sciatic nerve. Methods: One hundred Wistar rats were classified randomly into two groups, a control group (group A, n = 50) and a PEMF group(group B, n = 50). The biological effect of the grafted nerve, the relative lumbar spinal cord and one of the ending organs - triceps muscle was studied at the same time. Results: The neuron's vitality in lumber spinal cord had been stimulated in the PEMF- treated rats. The Wallerian degeneration of the nerve distal to the grafted was accelerated after PEMF stimulation. The increased regeneration of the nerve was found throughout 16 weeks recovery period in PEMF group. Application of PEMF had decreased the atrophy of the triceps muscle caused by denervation and promoted its functional recovery. Conclusion: PEMF stimula- tion may enhance the regeneration of the injured peripheral nerve.