The use of electrical stimulation to promote healing of fractures
Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research
Record ID 31998008914
English
Authors' objectives:
This report was produced in a response to a request from the Capital Health Authority for information in relation to the management of a patient with delayed healing of a tibial fracture. The main focus was on literature since 1990 covering clinical use of electrical stimulation in management of fractures.
Authors' recommendations:
Electrical stimulation is a useful method of promoting healing of fractures in some patients, although there appear to have been few rigorous trials. Physical characteristics of the devices and stimulation protocols used vary. Most studies have focused on the treatment of non-unions, where use of this technology has been shown to be helpful in several series, as judged by comparison with untreated or placebo-treated controls. There is some evidence that electrical stimulation may also be useful to accelerate healing where union has been slow. There is no evidence that it enhances the healing of fresh fractures.
Authors' methods:
Review
Details
Project Status:
Completed
Year Published:
1996
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Canada
MeSH Terms
- Electric Stimulation
- Fractures, Bone
Contact
Organisation Name:
Institute of Health Economics
Contact Address:
1200, 10405 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, T5J 3N4. Tel: +1 780 448 4881; Fax: +1 780 448 0018;
Contact Name:
djuzwishin@ihe.ca
Contact Email:
djuzwishin@ihe.ca
Copyright:
<p>Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research</p>
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.