Molly Ayala
Bone growth stimulators, also known as bone growth therapy, are devices that use electrical stimulation to encourage bone growth and healing. They are used to treat fractures that haven't healed on their own, a condition known as non-union. Non-union fractures typically occur when bones don't receive enough blood flow or stability during the healing process. Bone growth stimulators may be non-invasive or invasive, with the latter requiring surgical implantation of a current generator. While the effectiveness of bone growth stimulators is still being studied, they have been found to reduce healing time and are considered a safe treatment option.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Bone Growth Stimulator (BGS) |
| Other Names | Bone Stimulator, Electrical Bone Growth Stimulation, Electronic Bone Growth Stimulator |
| Purpose | Promote bone growth in difficult-to-heal fractures |
| Mechanism | Sends low-level pulses of electromagnetic energy to the injury or fracture site |
| Types | External, Non-invasive; Internal, Invasive |
| Effectiveness | Studies have had mixed results; may speed up healing time in smokers |
| Cost | $500-$5,000; Implanted electrical stimulators may cost up to $5,000 |
| FDA-approved Devices | OsteoStim® (Electro-Biology); OrthoPak® Bone Growth Stimulator (BioElectron, now Zimmer Biomet); Physio-Stim® (Orthofix Inc.); OrthoLogic® 1000; EBI Bone Healing System® (Electrobiology, now Zimmer Biomet) |
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What You'll Learn
Bone growth therapy
There are two types of bone growth stimulators: external and implanted. External stimulators are placed on the skin over the fracture site, while implanted stimulators are placed directly at the fracture site through a surgical procedure. The implanted variety may cause infection and require a second surgery for removal, but they allow for constant stimulation. The effectiveness of electrical bone stimulators is still being studied, with mixed results. However, they have been found to reduce pain and speed up healing time in smokers.
The cost of bone growth therapy devices can range from $500 to $5,000, depending on the manufacturer, the area of the body being treated, and the type of stimulator. Most insurance carriers cover bone growth stimulators when prescribed by an orthopedic physician, but patients should check with their insurance provider to confirm coverage details.
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Electrical stimulation therapy
There are two main types of bone stimulators: external and implanted. External bone stimulators are placed on the skin over the fracture site, while implanted stimulators are placed directly at the fracture site through a surgical procedure. Implanted stimulators provide constant stimulation but may cause infection and are more expensive, costing up to $5,000. External stimulators, on the other hand, are more affordable, ranging from $500 to $5,000, and do not require surgery. However, they need to be used consistently every day for several hours over a period of three to nine months to be effective.
Bone stimulators use either pulsed electromagnetic or ultrasound waves to generate an electric current that encourages bone growth. The effectiveness of electrical bone stimulators is still being evaluated, with studies showing mixed results. Some studies suggest that electrical stimulation may reduce pain and speed up healing time, especially in smokers. It has also been found to be beneficial in a variety of orthopedic conditions, including enhancing delayed or nonunion fractures, improving the efficacy of bone grafts, treating fresh fractures, and aiding femoral osteonecrosis.
There are three methods of administering electrical stimulation to the bone: direct current (DC), capacitive coupling (CC), and inductive coupling (IC). Direct current involves surgically placing electrodes at the site of the bone defect, providing continuous therapeutic treatment until the bone is healed. This method has the advantage of minimal patient compliance but carries the risk of infection and tissue reaction. Capacitive coupling and inductive coupling are also effective methods for treating nonunions, according to clinical studies.
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External and internal fixation
Bone growth therapy, also known as bone growth stimulation, is a treatment that helps promote healing in fractured bones and spinal fusions that have not healed or are having difficulty healing. Bones can heal naturally, but in some cases, this process is hindered by certain health factors. This is where bone growth therapy comes in, using bone growth stimulators (BGS) to accelerate the healing process.
BGS devices are either external or implanted into the area of the affected bone. External BGS devices are non-invasive and are available for almost any area of the body where a fracture or surgery has occurred. They are also relatively comfortable, lightweight, and safe. However, they may not be as effective as implanted BGS, which provide constant stimulation directly at the fracture site. On the other hand, implanted BGS may cause infection and are more expensive, costing up to $5,000.
External fixation is a surgical technique that involves the use of external devices, such as casts and splints, to support and stabilize a broken bone from outside the body. It is often used in cases of poor bone quality, ulceration, compromised soft tissue, active infection, or osteomyelitis, where internal fixation is limited or contraindicated. Early weight-bearing and dynamization, which promotes blood flow at the fracture site, are key components for a full recovery when using external fixation.
Internal fixation, on the other hand, involves setting and stabilising fractured bones from inside the body using special implants. This technique is made possible by advances in sterile surgical procedures, which have reduced the risk of surgical infection. During internal fixation, an incision is made to access the broken bone, and the bone fragments are repositioned into their normal alignment. The fragments are then held together with implants such as plates, screws, nails, wires, or a combination of these fasteners. The implants are often made from stainless steel or titanium and may be left in the bone permanently or removed after healing.
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Bone grafting
There are several types of bone grafts, including:
- Allograft: This method uses bone tissue from a donor, which is typically obtained from a bone bank. The tissue is cleaned, processed, and sterilized to ensure the safety of the recipient.
- Autograft: This method uses the patient's bone tissue, typically from the iliac crest (the top of the hip bone). Using the patient's bone tissue increases the chances of successful fusion, but the amount of bone tissue that can be collected is limited.
- Synthetic bone graft: This type of graft uses artificially produced materials made from porous substances and proteins that support bone development.
In some cases, bone growth stimulation devices, also known as bone growth therapy, may be prescribed to promote healing in fractured bones and spinal fusions that have not healed or are having difficulty healing. These devices use electromagnetic energy or ultrasound waves to stimulate the bone's natural healing process. While generally safe and non-invasive, the effectiveness of these devices in speeding up healing time has not been conclusively determined, and studies have reported mixed results.
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Non-invasive and invasive stimulators
Bone growth stimulators are devices that generate an electric current to encourage bone growth. They are used to treat fractures that haven't healed on their own, a condition known as nonunion, which affects about 5-10% of individuals with fractures or orthopaedic surgery. Nonunion can be caused by inadequate blood flow, stability, or both, and is often associated with smoking, multiple spine fusion surgeries, other failed orthopaedic surgeries, and certain medical conditions such as alcoholism, obesity, or diabetes.
Bone growth stimulators can be non-invasive or invasive. Non-invasive stimulators are worn externally on the skin and use coils or electrodes placed on the skin or on a cast or brace over the fracture site. They are relatively comfortable, lightweight, and safe, and do not require adjustment. The electric current is imperceptible and causes no discomfort to the patient. Non-invasive stimulators have been found to reduce costs compared to other treatments for nonunion fractures. However, they may carry risks such as electric shock, burns, skin irritation, allergic reactions, inconsistent or ineffective treatment, and adverse interactions with electrical implants or fixation devices.
Invasive stimulators, on the other hand, are surgically implanted into the area of the affected bone. They provide constant stimulation directly at the fracture site but may cause infection and carry increased risks associated with implantable leads. The implantable device typically remains functional for 6 to 9 months, after which the current generator is removed in a second surgical procedure. Implanted stimulators can cost up to $5,000.
There are also semi-invasive (semi-implantable) stimulators that use percutaneous electrodes and an external power supply, eliminating the need for a second surgery to remove the generator. The effectiveness of electrical bone stimulators overall is uncertain, with studies showing mixed results.
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Frequently asked questions
An electric bone regrowth machine is called a bone growth stimulator (BGS).
A bone growth stimulator uses pulsed electromagnetic waves or ultrasound waves to send energy to the healing bone surface, helping the bone to heal more quickly.
Bone growth stimulators can be either non-invasive or invasive. Non-invasive devices are placed externally, while invasive devices require surgical implantation of a current generator and an electrode within the fragments of the bone graft.
Bone growth stimulators can cost anywhere from $500 to $5000, depending on the manufacturer and the area of the body being treated.
