We evaluated the use of pulsed electromagnetic-field stimulation to
affect the rate of healing or incorporation of segmental autogenous
cortical bone grafts in the dog in vivo. This non-invasive method of
electrical stimulation has been implicated in increasing bone osteogenesis
or augmentation of the repair process in the canine fibular osteotomy. We
utilized two-month and six-month stimulation protocols. At six months, all
of the animals were evaluated biomechanically using rapid-loading torsional
testing. Histological evaluation using tetracycline labeling was used to
evaluate cumulative new-bone formation and porosity, while graft-host time
to union was evaluated roentgenographically every two weeks. Recent reports
have implied that particular pulse configurations might be effective in
improving graft revascularization and incorporation. The results of our
investigation indicated that there was no significant effect on the
biomechanical strength, histological presentation, or time to union with
either two months or six months of pulsed electromagnetic-field stimulation
using the particular waveform described.