$Unique_ID{BRK00235}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Can Electricity Heal a Fracture?}
$Subject{fracture fractures healing stimulation Musculoskeletal
Electricity Heal heals therapies therapy broken bone immobilize electric
bone-growth stimulators stimulator graft surgery surgeries operation
operations bones mechanically stressed stresses mechanical stress grow
electrical charge charges special procedure procedures}
$Volume{M-17,P-17}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Can Electricity Heal a Fracture?


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QUESTION:  It may sound nuts, but I am sure I saw something about this on a TV
program recently.  Have you every heard of using electricity to heal a
fracture?

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ANSWER:  You are not losing your mind, I have heard of the process you saw
televised.  The usual therapy for a broken bone is to immobilize it (with a
cast generally) until the ends knit, or heal together.  Most broken bones heal
within six months.  However, there are always a few that either heal more
slowly or refuse to heal at all and, for these there is the choice of using
electric bone-growth stimulators or undergoing bone graft surgery.
     Back in the 1950's, it was found that bones that were mechanically
stressed (by normal exercise) produced small electrical charges.  This
mechanical stress helps bones to grow stronger and researchers theorized that
an external electrical charge would do the same thing, which is how the
stimulators are thought to work.  The results from using bone growth
stimulators is roughly comparable to bone graft surgery, with success rates of
between 75% and 85% compared to 85% to 95%.
     Because the technique is noninvasive, it is worth a try in those
difficult cases where bones just won't knit.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.