[Behavior of reactive shaft pseudarthroses of the canine radius in the electric and electromagnetic fields]

In 27 beagles, 19 radius shaft pseudarthroses and 8 tibia were stimulated either by directly applied alternating current of low frequency and strength, delivered from an implanted battery source, or by a pulsing electromagnetic field inductively coupled to bone. Increase of periosteal callus was only found beneath parallel sling electrodes placed on pseudarthroses parallel to the radius shaft. Stimulation by transverse electrodes implanted into bone produced no significant increase of osteogenesis and bone healing, evaluated by x-rays, scintigrams, and morphometry when compared with contralateral leg controls.