[Bone growth stimulators for fractures; sensible or not?]
G Kok1,2, B J M Van de Wall3, E J M M Verleisdonk4
1UMC Utrecht, afd. Metabole Ziekten, Utrecht.
Nederlands Tijdschrift Voor Geneeskunde
|May 19, 2020
Summary
Bone growth stimulators, including pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), lack sufficient evidence for effectively healing fractures. Routine use is not recommended due to cost and unproven benefits for fresh, delayed-union, or non-union fractures.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Growing patient interest in bone growth stimulators for fracture healing.
- Two primary technologies exist: pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) and low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of current bone growth stimulator technologies.
- To determine the evidence supporting the use of PEMF and LIPUS for various fracture types.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing evidence on PEMF and LIPUS bone growth stimulators.
- Analysis of studies concerning fresh fractures, delayed-union, and non-union fractures.
Main Results:
- Insufficient evidence supports LIPUS for fresh fractures.
- Further research is needed for LIPUS in delayed-union and non-union fractures.
- Insufficient evidence supports PEMF for fresh, delayed-union, or non-union fractures.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence does not support the routine use of bone growth stimulators.
- Significant costs associated with bone growth stimulators warrant cautious consideration.
- More research is required to establish the clinical utility of PEMF and LIPUS.
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