Fracture healing by electric stimulation - biomed 2009

In the Indian subcontinent where accident rates are very high, fracture of human limbs assumed enormous challenge to an orthopaedic surgeon .The process of fracture healing can be followed periodically using X- rays .This has its own side effects .Several workers have indicated that electric field speeds up the healing process. In this work 4 male patients with tibia fracture were stabilized using Carbon Ilizaro external- fixator. The fixator is made of carbon fibre ring connected with adjustable stainless steel tie rods whereby the gap can be suitably matched with the fracture . The electric wires were soldered to the fixator.The wires were given a DC current upto 1000 m A. In the static mode there was a steady increase of current which stabilized after about 3 weeks depending on the patient history. An X- ray after the period of stabilization and stimulation indicated complete healing. This study is being extended to a few more cases to confirm the capability of electric field as an indicator of fracture healing.