When a bone is stressed it will carry an electropositive charge on the convex side, while the concave side has an electronegative charge. An electromagnetic property may be intrinsic in the structure of biological materials, where it plays a specific functional role. This was observed as a result of the search for a simple, easily isolatable growth system with well-defined input and output parameters. Healing processes as previously described are complex, involving major cellular reactions and a variety of biochemical changes within the entire organism. Morphogenetic growth in the embryo is even more complex, involving, in addition, interactions between structures as they form and genetically preprogrammed factors.

There is however, a growth phenomenon, unique to bone, that is ideal for such an analysis. In 1892., Wolff systematized the growth response of living bone to mechanical stress into a specific law that subsequently has become known as "Wolff's Law." Simply stated, bone grows in response to mechanical stress so as to produce an anatomical structure best able to resist the applied stress.

This helps to explain Wolff's Law by showing that bone will remodel via deposition of new bone at areas of compression and via resorption of bone at areas of tension. With further examination, it was confirmed that areas of active growth in living bone, such as epiphyseal plates and repairing areas, were electronegative when compared with less active areas.

Stimulator

By implanting a weak electrical current directly into the bone, research has demonstrated that bone formation is increased around the cathode (negative electrode) and decreased around the anode (positive electrode). Researchers have found the optimal bone growth took place with a current between 5 and 20 microamperes. They noted that levels below 5 microamperes did not enhance growth, while levels above 20 microamperes caused cell necrosis and bone death 2. From this research, bone growth stimulators have been developed as a rehabilitative tool for complete bone repair. There are three different techniques used with bone growth stimulators; a semi-invasive direct current, invasive direct current, and pulsing electromagnetic fields (PEMF).

PEMF--Pulsed Electromagnetic Theraphy

Pulsed electromagnetic therapy is a recent development and new tool in the field of healing or regaining health from deceases. Here the patient is enveloped by a pulsating, varying intensity and frequency electromagnetic field, coming from a solenoid placed around the patient. With this device whole body treatment can be done. Electromagnetic field is produced by a machine attached to the solenoid. Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) has been recently gaining a lot of attention in the current open-minded atmosphere towards alternative medicine in the U.S.

PEMF was approved by the FDA in 1979 for the healing of non-union fractures. This came after a Columbia University study, under NASA auspices. NASA has been interested in PEMF for a treatment for its astronauts bone conditions.

PEMF today is used mainly in orthopedics in the U.S. It can accelerate fracture healing, and can be applied through casts, making it a powerful utility in sports medicine. It also can greatly help conditions such as osteoporosis. But PEMF is used abroad for many other successful applications. The Long Island Pain Treatment Center, in 1997, has started a study of PEMF together with the Yale University School of Medicine. The study will determine PEMF's efficacy in pain management with all sorts of ailments. The study's results will be submitted to the FDA.

Reputable scientific literature has substantiated the effectiveness of electromagnetic waves in promoting bone regrowth of non-healing bone fractures, and there is good evidence for its application in wound healing and osteoporosis. The metabolic errors in the connective tissue around the diseased joint are corrected.

PEMF is a non-invasive treatment that works by permeating the body with low-frequency electromagnetic field, reaching every cell and changing cell potentials, and influencing the activity of enzymes and coenzymes by stimulating paramagnetic ions. The body, after all, is an electrical device and every cell has a magnetic polarity which influences the transmittal of ions and on a greater scale influences such things such as calcification in bone formation, etc.

Hydrozyprolin, hezosamine, creatinine, uronic acid etc are found in increased amount in the urine of these patients. PEMF corrects the metabolic activity in the cells and they�re by reduction in these abnormal products in urine results. Along with reduction in pain and swelling of the joint, there is an increase in the mobility of the joint. SPEEDY FRACTURE HEALING is an important aspect to be mentioned. Union of the fractured bones takes place almost within half the time required for normal healing. This treatment is effective in OSTEO AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, CERVICAL SPONDYLOSIS, LOW BACK PAIN including disc displacement, OSTIOMYLITIS and ARTHRITIS of varying etiology.

HOW IT WORKS?

With bone injuries, bleeding occurs to form a haematoma in which capillaries quickly form, transporting enriched blood to the injury site. Pulsed Magnetic Field therapy of a base frequency of 50Hz, pulsed at above 12Hz, causes vasodilatation and capillary dilatation, so helping to speed up the process of callus formation. Within the bone itself, pulsed electromagnetism causes the induction of small eddy currents in the trace elements, which in turn purify and strengthen the crystal structures. These have the same effect as the stress-induced voltages caused by the alpha quartz and as such, attract bone cells to the area under treatment. This can, therefore, accelerate the bone healing process to allow earlier mobilization and eventual full union. Ligaments and tendons are affected in similar ways to solid bone by pulsed electromagnetic therapy, since they are uncalcified bone structures in themselves.

This method uses paired copper coils that are placed on either side of the fracture site. They are attached to the cast via Velcro strips. The electrical power needed to generate therapeutic electric field amplitudes requires a 220-volt source. Therefore, the unit must be plugged into a standard electrical wall outlet. Ten hours of treatment per day are necessary. It is preferable that they are done consecutively, though the treatment period may be cumulative as long as no one exposure time is less than one hour. The voltage applied is nonhazardous even if the coils are inadvertantly immersed in water. PEMF's trigger calcification of the fibrocartilage within the fracture gap. This should be worn until radiographs show bone stress lines gradually bridging the fracture gap to produce cortical continuity.

The advantages are no surgery, no risk of infection, most conservative and least expensive. Meanwhile, the disadvantages are need to access AC supply, not portable. Bone growth stimulators are not used as an initial treatment because fractures generally heal on their own with immobilization. As stated previously, they have traditionally been reserved for the fractures that do not heal sufficiently.

BIOSTIM SPT

BIOSTIM SPT is a generator of Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMFs), used in Orthopaedics and Traumatology to enhance bone repair (indications). Biostim SPT is the most widespread stimulator in Europe. International clinical experience on more than 100,000 patients has confirmed the effectiveness of Biostim SPT in the treatment of various orthopaedic-type pathologies, with over 85% success. At the lesion site, BIOSTIM SPT generates "biopotentials" with high osteogenetic activity, able to double the rate of newly formed bone deposition, and hence to accelerate the healing process.

The technology employed and the way the coil is constructed enable the osteogenetic signal to be easily and precisely focused on the desired area, making for maximum clinical effectiveness.

The figure on the left shows the characteristic of the Biostim SPT signal -- 18-30 Gauss / Frequency 75 Hz / impulse width 1.3 milliseconds / induced electrical field amplitude 3,5�1 millivolt. The use of nine different types of coil, each of which can be supplied with 4 different signals, gives a total of 36 different treatment modes, thus ensuring that the signal is always focused and effective on the site of lesion.

The coil (applied part) is a medical device that generates a low-intensity, low frequency field, not perceived by the patient. It is placed on the site of treatment, not in direct contact with the skin. The treatment is performed for 6 hours per day, not necessarily consecutive, even during nighttime rest. Duration of treatment is 60-90 days.

REFERENCES

http://www.pulsedelectromagnetic.htm

Magnetic and Electromagnetic Field Therapy Treatment Device

http://www.BEMERtherapy.htm