[Bone growth stimulators for fractures; sensible or not?] / Botgroeistimulatoren bij fracturen.

ABSTRACT

More and more patients with fractures are asking for bone growth stimulators. There are currently 2 types of bone growth stimulators on the market stimulators using pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) and stimulators using low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS). There is insufficient evidence that LIPUS bone growth stimulator treatment is useful in patients with fresh fractures; the effects of LIPUS bone growth stimulation for delayed-union and non-union fractures need more in-depth investigation. There is also insufficient evidence that PEMF bone growth stimulation has beneficial effects on the healing of fresh fractures and delayed-union and non-union fractures. We do not recommend routine use of bone growth stimulators, partly because of the significant costs involved.