A Non-Operative Salvage of Surgically-Resistant Pseudarthroses and Non-Unions by Pulsing Electromagnetic Fields
C.A.L. Bassett, M.D., Sc.D. (Med), A.A. Pilla, Ph.D., R.J. Pawluk · 1977
Electromagnetic fields can stimulate bone healing, proving that EMF bioeffects are real and measurable in human tissue.
Plain English Summary
This 1977 study by Dr. Bassett examined using pulsed electromagnetic fields to heal bone fractures that had failed to heal naturally or through surgery. The research focused on treating pseudarthroses and non-unions (broken bones that won't mend properly) with ELF electromagnetic field therapy. This represents early medical research into therapeutic applications of electromagnetic fields for bone regeneration.
Why This Matters
This research represents a fascinating chapter in EMF science - one where electromagnetic fields were deliberately harnessed for healing rather than studied for potential harm. Dr. Bassett's work on bone healing with pulsed electromagnetic fields became foundational for what we now know as PEMF therapy, which remains FDA-approved for certain bone healing applications today. The science demonstrates that electromagnetic fields can have profound biological effects, capable of stimulating cellular processes like osteogenesis (bone formation) in ways that conventional medicine sometimes cannot achieve. What this means for you is recognition that EMF bioeffects are real and measurable - the same electromagnetic phenomena that can promote bone healing in controlled medical settings are constantly interacting with your body from everyday sources like power lines, appliances, and wireless devices. The difference lies in the frequency, intensity, duration, and biological context of exposure.
Figures from the Original Paper
Diagrams extracted from the original research document.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study. Duration: 12-16 hours per day for three to 6 months
Study Details
To evaluate the effectiveness of pulsing electromagnetic fields in treating surgically-resistant pseudarthroses and non-unions in humans, particularly in cases where standard surgical approaches have failed.
Patients with surgically-resistant pseudarthroses and non-unions were treated with pulsing electroma...
Of 29 patients included in the study, 17 had experienced at least one failure of surgical repair and...
Pulsing electromagnetic fields generated outside the body can become the treatment of choice in both congenital and acquired pseudarthroses. The method appears sufficiently safe to justify its investigation as a means to speed the repair of fresh fractures in humans. The results indicate that pulsing electromagnetic fields promote osteogenesis in patients and constitute a promising approach to avoid amputation in surgically-resistant non-unions. The simple, clinical methodology conducted on an out-patient basis appears to be both safe and effective. The approach requires additional controlled investigations before it is ready for general use in the orthopedic community.
Show BibTeX
@article{a_non_operative_salvage_of_surgically_resistant_pseudarthroses_and_non_unions_by_g6810,
author = {C.A.L. Bassett and M.D. and Sc.D. (Med) and A.A. Pilla and Ph.D. and R.J. Pawluk},
title = {A Non-Operative Salvage of Surgically-Resistant Pseudarthroses and Non-Unions by Pulsing Electromagnetic Fields},
year = {1977},
}