Electrical stimulation in the treatment of ununited fractures

Sixteen patients with nonunion were treated with direct-current stimulation by placement of percutaneous electrodes. The median age of nonunion was two years. All patients had previous surgical intervention to induce healing, and the fractures had been immobilized for long periods before electrical stimulation was considered. Eleven of ther 16 fractures united and the patients returned to full activity, free of external support. Complications included one late deep infection and one recurrence of osteomyelitis; with treatment, both patients healed both nonunions and infection. There were no refractures. The semi-invasive technique is simple, relatively painless, and the electrical apparatus is portable. Contraindications to its use are excessive motion at the fracture site or active infection.