HOW CAN PULSED MAGNETIC FIELD THERAPY ASSIST IN THE HEALING OF BONES AND LIGAMENTS?
by Dr. D. C. Laycock Ph.D. (Med. Eng.); MBES; MIPEM*; B.Ed. (Hons)(Phys. Sciences);
CGLI (Ind. Electronics); Consultant Clinical Engineer, Westville Associates and Consultants (UK).
Bone is essentially calcium structure which contains trace elements. One particular element recently identified is Alpha Quartz. This is the same type of material which is used in computers and digital or electronic watches. When this material is compressed, it develops a voltage across its two compressive faces, a phenomenon known as the piezo-electric effect. The old crystal pickups on record players used this effect to generate electrical sound signals. Gas appliances and some cigar lighters also utilise the same effect to generate a spark for ignition.
In bone, areas of stress generate small electric charges which are greater than those of less stressed areas, so that polarised bone-laying cells (osteoblasts) are believed to be attracted to these areas and begin to build up extra bone material to counter the stress.
With bone injuries, bleeding occurs to form a haematoma in which capillaries quickly form, transporting enriched blood to the injury site.
Pulsed Magnetic Field therapy of a base frequency of 50Hz, pulsed at above 12Hz, causes vaso and capillary dilation, so helping to speed up the process of callus formation. Within the bone itself, pulsed electro-magnetism causes the induction of small eddy currents in the trace elements, which in turn purify and strengthen the crystal structures. These have the same effect as the stress-induced voltages caused by the alpha quartz and as such, attract bone cells to the area under treatment. This can, therefore, accelerate the bone healing process to allow earlier mobilisation and eventual full union. Ligaments and tendons are affected in similar ways to solid bone by pulsed electromagnetic therapy, since they are uncalcified bone structures in themselves.
* Member of the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine
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