Use of physical forces in bone healing.
During the past two decades, a number of physical modalities have been approved for the management of nonunions and delayed unions. Implantable direct current stimulation is effective in managing established nonunions of the extremities and as an adjuvant in achieving spinal fusion. Pulsed electromagnetic fields and capacitive coupling induce fields through the soft tissue, resulting in low-magnitude voltage and currents at the fracture site. Pulsed electromagnetic fields may be as effective as surgery in managing extremity nonunions. Capacitive coupling appears to be effective both in extremity nonunions and lumbar fusions. Low-intensity ultrasound has been used to speed normal fracture healing and manage delayed unions. It has recently been approved for the management of nonunions. Despite the different mechanisms for stimulating bone healing, all signals result in increased intracellular calcium, thereby leading to bone formation.
Nelson
Fred R T
FR
Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA.
Brighton
Carl T
CT
Ryaby
James
J
Simon
Bruce J
BJ
Nielson
Jason H
JH
Lorich
Dean G
DG
Bolander
Mark
M
Seelig
John
J
D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D017102:Fracture Healing; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy; D014945:Wound Healing