title: CT scan-evaluated outcome of pulsed electromagnetic fields in the treatment of acute scaphoid fractures: a randomised, multicentre, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: We hypothesised that the use of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) bone growth stimulation in acute scaphoid fractures would significantly shorten the time to union and reduce the number of nonunions in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicentre trial. A total of 102 patients (78 male, 24 female; mean age 35 years (18 to 77)) from five different medical centres with a unilateral undisplaced acute scaphoid fracture were randomly allocated to PEMF (n = 51) or placebo (n = 51) and assessed with regard to functional and radiological outcomes (multiplanar reconstructed CT scans) at 6, 9, 12, 24 and 52 weeks. The overall time to clinical and radiological healing did not differ significantly between the active PEMF group and the placebo group. We concluded that the addition of PEMF bone growth stimulation to the conservative treatment of acute scaphoid fractures does not accelerate bone healing.
authors.affiliation: Maastricht University Medical Centre, Department of Surgery and Trauma Surgery, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: P F W
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Hannemann
authors.affiliation: Maastricht University Medical Centre, Department of Surgery and Trauma Surgery, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: van Wezenbeek
authors.affiliation: Rijnstate Hospital Arnhem, Department of Surgery, PO Box 9555, 6800 TA Arnhem, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kolkman
authors.affiliation: Canisius Wilhelmina Hospital, Department of Surgery, PO Box 9015, 6500 GS Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: E L L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Twiss
authors.affiliation: Isala Clinics, Department of Surgery, PO Box 10400, 8000 GK Zwolle, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: C H J
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Berghmans
authors.affiliation: Maasziekenhuis Pantein Hospital, Department of Surgery, PO Box 55, 5830 AB Boxmeer, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: P A M G M
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Dirven
authors.affiliation: Maastricht University Medical Centre, Department of Surgery and Trauma Surgery, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: P R G
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Brink
authors.affiliation: Maastricht University Medical Centre, Department of Surgery and Trauma Surgery, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Poeze
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D055909:Magnetic Field Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D021361:Scaphoid Bone / Q000293:injuries*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Consolidation; Functional outcome; PEMF; Radiological outcome; Scaphoid fracture