Electrical stimulation of human fracture healing by means of a slow pulsating, asymmetrical direct current

Twenty-eight tibial fractures were treated with external fixation by means of a Hoffmann apparatus. Through two electrode-screws in the Hoffmann apparatus a slowly pulsating, asymmetrical direct current was applied to the fracture site in each patient. The stimulated patients experienced a 30 per cent acceleration in healing as determined by mechanically stressing the Hoffmann apparatus used for immobilization of the fracture.