Repairing large bone fractures with low frequency electromagnetic fields.

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society · 2010 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 4416

Study snapshot

PublicationJournal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society · 2010

Study typein_vitro

Reported directionMixed

Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

The healing effects of low frequency pulse electromagnetic field (EMF) on bone fractures larger than 1 cm are unsatisfactory. Three- dimensional chitosan scaffolds are designed to fill in larger bone fractures and have been shown to be osteogenic. We hypothesized that EMF could accelerate the repair process of larger bone fractures with the use of chitosan scaffolds. Chitosan (96% deacetylation) films and lyophilized scaffolds, with and without osteoblast cells, were exposed to EMF (18-30 Gauss, 75 Hz) for 2 h a day for 3 weeks. Each week, the growth and phenotype expressions of osteoblasts and properties of chitosan were examined. The hydrophilicity, Young's modulus, and biodegradability of chitosan were not altered by EMF exposure. EMF osteoblasts showed 37% higher cell proliferation, 15% lower alkaline phosphatase activity, and 74% more calcium deposition than the controls. Based on SEM photomicrographs, EMF- treated cells appeared to produce more collagen fibrils, matrix vesicles, and calcium in the extracellular matrix than the controls. In conclusion, EMF was capable of enhancing the proliferation and mineralization of osteoblasts cultured on chitosan scaffolds.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typein_vitro

Effect directionmixed

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureELF · 2 h/day for 3 weeks

Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 78% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Chitosan films/scaffolds (with and without osteoblasts) exposed to pulsed EMF (18–30 Gauss, 75 Hz) for 2 h/day over 3 weeks showed no changes in scaffold hydrophilicity, Young's modulus, or biodegradability. EMF-exposed osteoblasts had higher proliferation (37%) and calcium deposition (74%) but lower alkaline phosphatase activity (15%) versus controls; SEM suggested more collagen fibrils, matrix vesicles, and calcium in extracellular matrix.

Outcomes measured

Osteoblast proliferation
Alkaline phosphatase activity
Calcium deposition/mineralization
Extracellular matrix features (collagen fibrils, matrix vesicles)
Chitosan scaffold properties (hydrophilicity, Young's modulus, biodegradability)

Limitations

In vitro study (osteoblasts on chitosan scaffolds), not direct clinical fracture healing outcomes
Sample size not reported in abstract
Exposure metrics limited to field strength (Gauss) and frequency; other dosimetry details not provided

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "in_vitro",
  "exposure": {
    "band": "ELF",
    "source": "other",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "2 h/day for 3 weeks"
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Osteoblast proliferation",
    "Alkaline phosphatase activity",
    "Calcium deposition/mineralization",
    "Extracellular matrix features (collagen fibrils, matrix vesicles)",
    "Chitosan scaffold properties (hydrophilicity, Young's modulus, biodegradability)"
  ],
  "main_findings": "Chitosan films/scaffolds (with and without osteoblasts) exposed to pulsed EMF (18–30 Gauss, 75 Hz) for 2 h/day over 3 weeks showed no changes in scaffold hydrophilicity, Young's modulus, or biodegradability. EMF-exposed osteoblasts had higher proliferation (37%) and calcium deposition (74%) but lower alkaline phosphatase activity (15%) versus controls; SEM suggested more collagen fibrils, matrix vesicles, and calcium in extracellular matrix.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "In vitro study (osteoblasts on chitosan scaffolds), not direct clinical fracture healing outcomes",
    "Sample size not reported in abstract",
    "Exposure metrics limited to field strength (Gauss) and frequency; other dosimetry details not provided"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.78,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "pulsed electromagnetic field",
    "low frequency",
    "75 Hz",
    "18-30 Gauss",
    "osteoblast",
    "chitosan scaffold",
    "bone fracture repair",
    "mineralization",
    "cell proliferation",
    "alkaline phosphatase",
    "calcium deposition"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1002/jor.20964
PubMed: 19639630

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