Despite advances in orthopedic medicine, delayed union or nonunion of long-bone fractures remains an ongoing concern for doctors and patients. Even with surgery and fixation by plates and screws, up to 20 percent of broken bones do not heal correctly ‒ often due to insufficient blood flow.
How Bones Heal
Fractures heal in stages. First is inflammation. As soon as the injury occurs, inflammatory cells rush in to clear debris while bleeding and clotting provide structural stability and a framework for the creation of new tissue. After about a week, the reparative stage begins. Clotted blood is replaced by cartilage and fibrous tissue, forming a soft callus.
Eventually this solidifies into a hard callus as new bone tissue is produced over the course of six to eight weeks. Finally, the body enters the third stage: remodeling, which lasts for several years. New tissue continues to form, gradually becoming more compact as the bone returns to its original shape.
Fractures require strong circulation in order to generate new tissue and repair broken bone fragments. Without it, the fracture cannot move out of the reparative stage. In some cases, it may persist for years, leading to swelling, tenderness, and pain that radiates out through the arm or leg.
In other cases, poor circulation prevents the bone from healing cleanly. Rather than lining up, the broken ends join together at an abnormal angle. On X-rays, they appear twisted, rotated, or bent. Malunited bones are typically too weak to bear the patient’s weight. They’re also stiff, painful, and unable to function as normal.
Effect of PEMF on Bone Healing
Our musculoskeletal system is highly responsive to its physicochemical environment, which is determined by the interplay between minerals, oxygen, CO2, electrolytes, and nutrients such as glucose, amino acids, and lipids, in the bloodstream. Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMF) therapy generates biopotentials, electrical signals produced by physical processes within the body, which have a huge influence on this environment.
Studies have shown that PEMF increases the structural integrity of bone and cartilage, shortening recovery times and improving bone quality. Though not a primary treatment, patients who supplement traditional care with PEMF experience:
- Better Circulation. PEMF dilates blood vessels around the injured area, accelerating the healing process through the delivery of oxygen and nutrients.
- Enhanced Bone Growth. Applying PEMF devices to broken bones triggers the production of osteoblasts and osteocytes, the cells responsible for the formation of bone tissue.
- Reduced Inflammation. Exposure to PEMF alters the homeostatic balance of signaling cytokines, which prevents damage from excess swelling.
- Improved Collagen Production. Electromagnetic pulses increase the proliferation and activity of fibroblasts, leading to greater collagen synthesis in the target area ‒ crucial for the bone matrix.
While research into the effects of PEMF is still ongoing, so far the evidence shows that skeletal tissue reacts favorably to electromagnetic intervention. Pulsed waves reach deep into cells, energizing growth factors that enhance the body’s natural regenerative properties, making PEMF one of the most effective adjuncts to traditional therapy.
Treating Bone Fractures with Aura Wellness PEMF
A sixteen-year-old football player suffered a fracture in his right fibula, also known as the calf bone, which runs from the knee to the ankle, parallel to the tibia. Despite treatment, he continued to experience swelling, tenderness, and pain, even when walking, which hindered his ability to participate in sports.
Our goal was to reduce inflammation, alleviate discomfort, and enable a successful return to sport, which we achieved after just four Aura Wellness treatment sessions. Our targeted approach diminished the player’s chronic inflammation, an impediment to full recovery, and created conditions conducive to healing. Pain decreased until the player was once again able to engage in weight-bearing activities such as jogging, running, and jumping. Overall function continued to improve even after treatment ceased, until he was eventually able to resume athletic competition and take part in the high-intensity movements required by his team.
Your Path to Recovery with Aura Wellness
Aura Wellness technology spurs the growth of bone and cartilage, enabling faster and more successful recoveries. Augmenting primary treatment with PEMF creates a healing environment that leads to stronger bones and better outcomes. Learn more by contacting one of our product specialists today!
