Based on the response of bone to electrical current in previous studies,
an exploratory clinical study of the effect of electrical current on
non-union and congenital pseudarthrosis was performed. Constant direct
current of ten to twenty microamperes was applied to twenty-four non-unions
and five congenital pseudarthroses. Complete union occurred in fifteen
non-unions and in one congenital pseudarthrosis. A single cathode
delivering ten microamperes seemed sufficient to heal non-union in small
bones, but multiple cathodes each delivering twenty microamperes appeared
to be required to heal non-union in the tibia and femur. As the technique
was refined, the percentage of successes increased. While these preliminary
results appear promising, further laboratory and clinical experiments are
required to define the true role of electrical stimulation in clinical
practice.