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Use of pulsed electromagnetic fields in Perthes disease: report of a pilot study
Insights
Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) may reduce splintage time for children with Perthes disease. This pilot study found PEMF treatment shortened treatment duration in older children with hip condition.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Perthes disease affects the hip joint in children.
- Treatment often involves prolonged immobilization and splintage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) as an adjunct treatment for unilateral Perthes disease in older children.
- To assess the impact of PEMFs on the duration of splintage required for treatment.
Main Methods:
- A pilot study involving 10 older children with unilateral Perthes disease.
- Patients used crutches and hip orthoses during the day.
- PEMFs were applied nightly for 10 hours via coils on an abduction orthosis.
- Treatment duration was compared to a historical control group (n=72).
Main Results:
- The PEMF group showed a 32% reduction in splintage time for early-stage cases (12.8 months).
- Late-stage cases experienced an 18% reduction in splintage time (13.5 months).
- No adverse effects were observed during the 2-year follow-up.
Conclusions:
- PEMFs appear safe and potentially effective in reducing splintage duration for older children with Perthes disease.
- The findings support further investigation with a double-blind study in younger patients with earlier disease stages.
Abstract:
A pilot study of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) in the treatment of 10 older children with unilateral Perthes disease of the hip is reported. Patients were allowed to walk using crutches, with the affected hip splinted by the Birmingham containment orthosis during the day. For 10 h during the night the affected hip was exposed to PEMFs delivered via a pair of coils, mounted anterior and posterior to the hip joint on a plastic abduction orthosis. Splintage time of this group was compared with that of 72 patients selected at random from a historical control group of 200 patients. The 72 patients and the 10 children were assigned to early or late groups depending on the radiologic evolution of the disease when treatment commenced. The group of 10 children showed an overall reduction of time in all splintage of 32% in early cases (to 12.8 months) and 18% in late cases (to 13.5 months). No untoward effects were detected during the 2 years that these children have been under observation. In view of the apparent safety of PEMFs and their effects in this limited population of older patients with advanced Perthes disease, a double-blind study in younger patients with earlier lesions seems to be justified.