Therapeutic effects of electromagnetic fields in the stimulation of connective tissue repair.
The therapeutic effects of electric and magnetic fields have been studied largely for their promotion of connective tissue repair. The most widely studied application concerns bone repair and deals with acceleration of the healing of fresh fractures, delayed and non-unions, incorporation of bone grafts, osteoporosis, and osteonecrosis. More recently the effects of these fields upon the repair of cartilage and soft fibrous tissues have been described. In all these experimental systems and clinical applications an acceleration of extracellular matrix synthesis and tissue healing has been observed. A degree of specificity, in terms of the parameters of applied energy and biological response, is hypothesized.
Aaron
R K
RK
Department of Orthopaedics, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 00928.
Ciombor
D M
DM
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological / Q000528:radiation effects; D000818:Animals; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000528:radiation effects; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002356:Cartilage / Q000528:radiation effects; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000528:radiation effects*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000528:radiation effects*