The Effects of Non-invasive Capacitively Coupled Electrical Field on Fracture Healing

Lee, Han Koo; Chung, Moon Sang; Choi, In Ho; Chiang, Gwan Hwan; Baek, Goo Hyun

Abstract

To demonstrate the stimulation effect on fracture healing by capacitively coupled electrical field, the rabbits' fibulae were fractured and treated with a capacitively coupled electrical signal (10V peak to peak, 60 kiloherz, symmetrical quadriangular wave) that was applied non-invasively over the skin surface overlying the approximate site of the fractured fibulae. Each fibula was evaluated with gross, roentgenographic, histological and mechanical tests after 21 days of the electrical stimulation, and compared to control group statistically. Maximum bending moment, Young's modulus of elasticity and bending stiffness were calculated by 3 point bending test, and the ratios of the fractured to the intact fibulae of the electrically stimulated rabbits were compared to the non-stimulated rabbits statistically. The results revealed that the fractured fibulae exposed to capacitively coupled electrical field showed the higher degree of fracture healing than the non-stimulated fibulae.