title: Use of pulsed electromagnetic fields in Perthes disease: report of a pilot study.
abstract: A pilot study of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) in the treatment of 10 older children with unilateral Perthes disease of the hip is reported. Patients were allowed to walk using crutches, with the affected hip splinted by the Birmingham containment orthosis during the day. For 10 h during the night the affected hip was exposed to PEMFs delivered via a pair of coils, mounted anterior and posterior to the hip joint on a plastic abduction orthosis. Splintage time of this group was compared with that of 72 patients selected at random from a historical control group of 200 patients. The 72 patients and the 10 children were assigned to early or late groups depending on the radiologic evolution of the disease when treatment commenced. The group of 10 children showed an overall reduction of time in all splintage of 32% in early cases (to 12.8 months) and 18% in late cases (to 13.5 months). No untoward effects were detected during the 2 years that these children have been under observation. In view of the apparent safety of PEMFs and their effects in this limited population of older patients with advanced Perthes disease, a double-blind study in younger patients with earlier lesions seems to be justified.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005271:Femur Head Necrosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007873:Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D055909:Magnetic Field Therapy; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011859:Radiography; D013165:Splints; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D011126:Polypropylenes