Treatment of delayed union and pseudarthrosis by low frequency pulsing electromagnetic stimulation. Study of 35 cases

This is a study of 35 cases of delayed union or established fibrous union ("pseudarthrosis") treated by pulsing electromagnetic stimulation. The treatment, applied up to 12 hours per day, can be carried out at home, with clinical and radiological control every 60 days. The average time of healing was 6 months. Consolidation occurred in 88.5% of cases, usually without the production of excessive periosteal callus. The method was particularly useful and effective in infected fractures, failed bone grafts, revascularisation of fragments showing signs of necrosis, and fractures with associated skin lesions.