Electromagnetic stimulation of bone repair: a histomorphometric study.

This research examined the impact of pulsing electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on bone repair in adult male horses. It found that PEMFs could significantly improve the bone healing process particularly in regions with naturally lower bone generation activity.

Research Context and Methodology

• The study focused on the effect of pulsing electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on bone repair. This comes after a series of clinical and experimental studies conducted on mammals established that these electromagnetic waves could show significant effects on biological tissues.
• Eight adult male horses were used for the study, out of which, six were treated with PEMFs and two were not treated serving as a control group for comparison.
• The researchers used Helmholtz coils (a device for producing a region of nearly uniform magnetic field) for treating the left metacarpal bones of the horses. These bones were previously bored with eight holes of equal diameters and depth.
• The right metacarpal bones of these horses, which were also bored with eight equal holes but only surrounded by unactivated Helmholtz coils, served as controls. Further another two untreated horses also served as an additional control set.

Results and Findings

• The results were gathered through a computer-assisted histomorphometric analysis, a common technique used to study the microscopic structures of tissues.
• The findings concluded that bone formation during a 60-day period is significantly greater (p less than 0.01) in PEMF-treated holes than in control ones, particularly at diaphyseal levels (the main/shaft region of the long bone).
• At metaphyseal levels (the end of the long bone) the differences were not as significant or consistent. PEMF-treated holes sometimes healed more quickly than control holes but not always.
• No statistically significant difference was observed between untreated holes in PEMF-treated horses and those in control horses, proving the consistency of the experimental set up.
• The research therefore surmises that PEMFs at low frequency can influence the process of bone repair for diaphysis and metaphysis areas, improving the healing process especially in areas of lower osteogenetic activity like the diaphysis.

Implications of the Research

• This study showcases the potential of using pulsing electromagnetic fields as a viable tool in promoting the bone healing process in animals and potentially in humans as well.
• It’s a preliminary pierce of evidence that warrants further investigation on utilizing PEMFs in the field of orthopaedics and regenerative medicine.