Doctor pointing to a skeletal spine

How Our Bone Simulators Work

Fracture Healing and Spinal Fusion Therapy in Bone Growth Stimulators

Fracture healing is a complicated metabolic process and is dependent on many factors. Healing fractures may be delayed or impaired if these factors are inadequate or interrupted.  Most fractures heal without any complications. However, some patients develop nonunions and/or delayed unions, and are not healing on their own.


There are effective ways to manage nonunion fractures, including surgery, fixation techniques, bone grafting, and biological bone substitutes. A non-invasive option is the bone growth stimulator, a durable medical equipment device that raises an important question: What stimulates bone growth? These devices deliver energy to the healing bone using pulsed electromagnetic or ultrasound waves, which can significantly help the healing process.

What is bone stimulation therapy?

Bone growth stimulator devices are used as a non-surgical treatment option to assist in healing bone fractures throughout the body. The most common scenarios in which bone stimulators are prescribed are when a patient presents with a slow healing, nonunion fracture that might have included surgery to repair. When a patient is identified with a bone healing issue, bone stimulator devices may be prescribed.

CervicalStim and SpinalStim devices illustration with PEMF technology

How Does a PEMF Bone Stimulator Work

Orthofix Bone Growth Therapy devices create a low-level pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF), which helps activate the body’s natural healing process.

How Does a LIPUS Bone Stimulator Work

The Orthofix AccelStim™ devices creates a low-intensity ultrasound wave (LIPUS). LIPUS is a form of mechanical energy transmitted to the fracture site producing high-frequency pressure waves to promote bone formation.