Search

The Authors report the results of the First Italian Multi-center Study Group evaluation of the efficacy of Low Frequency Pulsing Electromagnetic Fields (LFPEFs) for the treatment of congenital and acquired pseudoarthroses and of delayed unions. 153 patients have been treated since 1978. the success rate has been 86 %. With the technique used, unlike the results reported by other researchers, the formation of solid periosteal bone callus during the pseudoarthrosis consolidation process was observed. the LFPEF treatment seems to be capable of triggering the repair process rather than shortening the treatment time. During the first three months of stimulation significant changes in the morphology of the X-ray picture of the pseudoarthrosis are noticeable. the clinical implications of these observations are discussed.

In this study we have reviewed a group of patients suffering from non-union treated at the same hospitals by the same surgeons. Twenty six patients (control group) received an orthopaedic treatment aimed at promoting bone healing, fourty one patients (experimental group) were stimulated with an electromagnetic field generator without any further change in the orthopaedic management of the non-union. Eighteen patients healed in the control group and thirty six in the experimental group. The average healing time was shorter among patients stimulated. No difference was observed in the success rate between the 2 groups of patients for non infected non-unions. Infection proved to be detrimental for the success of the treatment in the control group, while it did not negatively influence the outcome of stimulation. Provided that the orthopaedic treatment of the non-union is considered satisfactory, electromagnetic stimulation is a valid option in the treatment of non-unions.