[Pulsating electromagnetic fields in treatment of injuries and illnesses of the locomotor system--an overview and meta-analysis].

AIM

Recently, pulsating electromagnetic fields have gained wide attraction in the treatment of various orthopaedic diseases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of this therapeutic tool.

METHOD

All clinical studies which deal with pulsating electromagnetic fields in the treatment of orthopaedic conditions are reviewed. To elucidate the physiological basis of the method, important experimental studies are considered.

RESULTS

37 clinical studies with 3379 patients are evaluated, of which only a minority were performed as prospective studies with control groups. The results of the studies, performed on patients with various orthopaedic conditions, are not unequivocal and partly inconsistent. In view of the physiological basis many questions remain unanswered.

CONCLUSIONS

At present the use of pulsating electromagnetic fields in the treatment of orthopaedic diseases is not scientifically proven.