[Electromagnetic fields and alternating current, do they accelerate bone healing? (author's transl)]

The effects of combined treatment with electromagnetic fields and alternating current according to the method of Kraus is investigated in two groups at bone-nonunions of 21 beagle-dogs. Identical atrophic nonunions of both ulnae are stabilized with plates and treated electrically for eight weeks at one side only, the other side serves as control. The second group gets an additional cancellous bone graft. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of X-rays and histology of undecalcified bone shows better bone healing in the group with cancellous bone graft on the treated side compared with the control. The first group shows no remarkable differences between both sides, except an increased periosteal bone formation around the active implants.