Osteogenetic stimulation by externally applied dc current

A new, simple, safe and noninvasive technique for the electrical stimulation of fracture healing is introduced. The safety and the simplicity of the technique makes it possible to apply it almost immediately to clinical experimentation. Electrodes were applied externally to the fractured site producing current across the limb. It was observed that the current density changes the volume of callus and affects the direction of the trabecular orientation. When the trabecular orientation is completely changed from longitudinal to transverse, the larger volume of callus does not compensate for the loss of strength as compared with the callus on the control bone.