BACKGROUND: this pilot study aimed at determining whether the application of a novel new method of generating pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF), the Fracture Healing Patch (FHP), accelerates the healing of acute distal radius fractures (DRF) when compared to a sham treatment. METHODS: 41 patients with DRFs treated with cast immobilization were included. Patients were allocated to a PEMF group (n = 20) or a control (sham) group (n = 21). All patients were assessed with regard to functional and radiological outcomes (X-rays and CT scans) at 2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: fractures treated with active PEMF demonstrated significantly higher extent of union at 4 weeks as assessed by CT (76% versus 58%, p = 0.02). SF12 mean physical score was significantly higher in PEMF treated group (47 versus 36, p = 0.005). Time to cast removal was significantly shorter in PEMF treated patients, 33 +/- 5.9 days in PEMF versus 39.8 +/- 7.4 days in sham group (p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: early addition of PEMF treatment may accelerate bone healing which could lead to a shorter cast immobilization, thus allowing an earlier return to daily life activities and work. There were no complications related to the PEMF device (FHP).

Full text (sometimes free) may be available at these link(s):      help

• PubMed Central
• DOI
• PubMed
• PDF locator
• publisher