Electric Stimulation Of Bone Healing

Abstract

Of all the complications of trauma,. nonunion of fractured bones has always posed a great challenge to the orthopaedic profession, especially because numerous attempts using different 1ypes of conservative and operative treatments, even in the best hands, have failed to provide a complete solution.

Laboratory experiments show the relationships between electricity and bone:

following

• Stressed bone exhibits electronegativity m areas of compressiOn. • Living, nonstressed bone exhibits electronegativity m areas of bone growth and healing. • The application of low magnitude direct current to bone induces osteogenesis at the negative electrode or cathode. Based on the above principles, electrical stimulation was used in the treatment of fracture nonunion. Giving the pr:oper electrical parameters and good fracture-treatment technique, the rate of union in treating nonunion with electrical treatment is statistically indistinguishable from that achieved by bone graft surgery. Although a variety of electrical stimulation devices have been developed, each can be categorized as one of three types: 1. Constant direct-current stimulation with the use of percutaneous or implanted electrodes (semi­ invasive/invasive).