Effects of electromagnetic fields on bone regeneration in experimental and clinical studies: a review of the literature / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the experimental and clinical data regarding the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on fracture non-union.</p><p><b>DATA SOURCES</b>The English language literature regarding EMFs on fracture non-union were searched using MEDLINE, Web of Science and Embase, for the period January 2006 to June 2011. The search terms were electromagnetic fields and non-union/bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs)/bone.</p><p><b>STUDY SELECTION</b>Articles were included in the review if they were related to the use of EMFs on BMSCs or bone tissue. Papers without full manuscripts available were excluded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The basic and clinical research in this field, while somewhat limited, supports the insightful application of EMFs to ameliorate disability due to fracture non-union.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Further basic and clinical research to validate the use of EMFs in facilitating function and bone reparative processes in fracture non-union is required.</p>