Direct-current stimulation of non-union and congenital pseudarthrosis. Exploration of its clinical application

Abstract

Based on the response of bone to electrical current in previous studies, an exploratory clinical study of the effect of electrical current on non-union and congenital pseudarthrosis was performed. Constant direct current of ten to twenty microamperes was applied to twenty-four non-unions and five congenital pseudarthroses. Complete union occurred in fifteen non-unions and in one congenital pseudarthrosis. A single cathode delivering ten microamperes seemed sufficient to heal non-union in small bones, but multiple cathodes each delivering twenty microamperes appeared to be required to heal non-union in the tibia and femur. As the technique was refined, the percentage of successes increased. While these preliminary results appear promising, further laboratory and clinical experiments are required to define the true role of electrical stimulation in clinical practice.