How it Works
Bone Growth Therapies and the Healing Process
Fracture healing is a complicated metabolic process and is dependent on many factors. If these factors are inadequate or interrupted, healing may be delayed or impaired. Most fractures heal without any complications. However, some patients develop nonunions and/or delayed unions, and are not healing on their own.
There are a variety of ways to deal with nonunion, some of which include surgery, internal or external fixation, bone grafting, or the use of biologic bone substitute. The least invasive and only non-surgical option is a durable medical equipment device called a bone growth stimulator. The most commonly used bone stimulation devices send more energy to the healing bone surface through either pulsed electromagnetic or ultrasound waves, which helps the bone heal more quickly.
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 that is transmitted to the fracture site which produces high frequency pressure waves to promote bone formation.