Evaluation of pulsed electromagnetic stimulation for the enhancement of femoral fracture healing in dogs

Abstract

The clinical study was conducted on twelve dogs of either sex having midshaft oblique fracture of right femur and divided into two groups comprising of six animals in each group. Under anaesthetic combination of atropine sulphate, xylazine hydrochloride, diazepam and ketamine hydrochloride, the fractured fragments were reduced and stabilised with stack pinning and two cerclage wiring. Group I animals were treated as control and received only postoperative care and management. Group II animals were treated with pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation of 75 Hz for 20 min daily for 15 days for enhancement of fracture healing along with postoperative care and management. The clinical union of cutaneous wounds were observed on 9th and 7th day in animals of group I and II. Full weight bearing was observed on 50th day and 29th day in Group I and Group II animals respectively. Radiographically there was abundant periosteal callus with persistence of fracture line on 8th postoperative week in animals of group I and complete union of fracture with minimal periosteal callus on 6th postoperative week in animals of group II. Positive osteomedullographic signs and clearance of contrast medium in all the animals of group I and II on 60th postoperative day indicated reestablishment of intraosseous and extraosseous network. Pulsed electromagnetic stimulation was found to be an effective non invasive technique in enhancement of femoral fracture healing without any complication and can be used as an adjunct to internal fixation for fracture treatment