Sound Foot Care Center of CT
148 East Ave, Suite 2H
Norwalk, CT 06851
Ph. 203.866.7686
Fax. 203.866.7685

Using Bone Stimulators to Promote Healing

Despite the best of care, traumatic fractures and surgical bone procedures do not necessarily heal as effectively and quickly as planned. Delayed healing, which can result from a number of reasons, falls into one of two categories: delayed union or nonunion.

Bone stimulators address complicated fractures or osteotomies by stimulating bone growth and enhancing fusion of the bone. They can be either internal or external. External bone stimulators include

• Electromagnetic coils or
• Ultrasound stimulation.

Electromagnetic coils produce an electromagnetic field from coils placed on each side of the fracture and kept stable with a strap or cuff. The patient is responsible for maintaining the treatment schedule of three to ten hours a day, divided into periods of at least one hour. Ultrasound stimulation produces low intensity sound pulses that are applied to the skin over the fracture. An advantage for the patient is that ultrasound stimulation may require as little as half an hour each day.

Internal stimulators apply a direct electric current to the fracture 24 hours a day and require surgery for implantation. They can be

• Fully implantable and
• Partially implantable.

Fully implantable stimulators have the advantage of requiring little intervention or action by the patient. Patients with partially implantable devices need to regulate their treatment to some extent by caring for the external power pack.

Both delayed unions and nonunions can be frustrating for the patient, particularly if there is an urgency to commence athletic training and sports. If satisfactory healing does not occur naturally or the pace of healing is too slow, we can advise you on the most appropriate bone stimulator. This will help facilitate successful healing while improving your function and mobility, allowing you to resume activities as soon as possible.