Bassett C A, Pilla A A, Pawluk R J
Clin Orthop Relat Res. 1977 May(124):128-43.
This report documents, for the first time, to the authors' knowledge, the therapeutic use in humans of low energy, electromagnetic fields pulsing in the extremely low frequency (E.L.F.) range. These fields, established outside the body, were used to treat congenital and acquired pseudarthroses and non-unions. Energy of this type appears to affect biological processes, not through heat production, but through electrically-induced changes in the environment of cells within the organism. Of the 29 patients included in the study, 17 had experienced at least one failure of surgical repair and, in each of these, amputation had been recommended. The overall success rate, including those patients treated with inadequate pulse characteristics and those who failed to follow the protocol, was in excess of 70 per cent. Improvements in the specificity of pulse characteristics hold promise for increasing the rate of success. The simple, clinical methodology, which is conducted on an out-patient basis, appears to be both safe and effective. It can be applied with or without surgery. This approach requires additional controlled investigations before it is ready for general use in the orthopaedic community. The indications for amputation of surgically-resistant pseudarthroses, however, should be reassessed. The principles and technology, which have been established during this endeavor, may have physiologic and practical significance for processes other than pseudarthrosis and non-union.
据作者所知，本报告首次记录了极低频（E.L.F.）范围内低能量电磁场在人体中的治疗应用。这些在体外建立的电磁场被用于治疗先天性和后天性假关节及骨不连。这种类型的能量似乎不是通过产热，而是通过在生物体内细胞环境中产生电诱导变化来影响生物过程。在纳入研究的29例患者中，17例曾经历至少一次手术修复失败，并且在每例患者中，均有人建议进行截肢。总体成功率，包括那些脉冲特性不充分的患者以及未遵循方案的患者，超过了70%。脉冲特性特异性的改善有望提高成功率。这种在门诊进行的简单临床方法似乎既安全又有效。它可以在有或没有手术的情况下应用。在准备好在骨科领域广泛应用之前，这种方法需要进行更多的对照研究。然而，对于手术难治性假关节的截肢指征，应重新评估。在此研究过程中确立的原理和技术，可能对除假关节和骨不连之外的其他过程具有生理和实际意义。
