Treatment of nonunion with a constant direct current: a totally implantable system.

There is now sufficient basic research and clinical experience to establish that electrical stimulation produces osteogenesis. Furthermore, electrical stimulation significantly helps union where impaired bone healing exists. The implanted bone growth stimulator is one effective method of electrical stimulation. It can be used in a wide variety of problems: delayed union and nonunion of bones with or without chronic infection and in failed posterior spinal fusion. Successful treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia has been encouraging. The implanted bone growth stimulator technique requires a simple operation with strict adherence to detail. There is minimal postoperative discomfort and a short hospital stay. The average time to union is 16 weeks. The Osteostim can be used in the presence of chronic infection and internal fixation. Above all, the technique does not require any cooperation from the patient. The implanted bone growth stimulator should be accepted as a method of treatment for delayed and nonunion of bones, as it is at least as effective as other more conventional methods of surgical treatment for this situation. It has been proved that electrical stimulation produces osteogenesis. Orthopedic surgeons should no longer be skeptical about this.