Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The development of alternative techniques to treat nonunion or
bone defects offers promising perspectives for a large number
of patients. Physicians treating fractures will have an increasing
variety of options available, some of which will probably soon
supersede harvest of bone autograft. Physical methods are non-
invasive and have been shown to offer beneficial effects in
the healing of fresh fractures (mechanical loading, ultrasound
stimulation), and in the treatment of hypertrophic nonunion
and congenital pseudarthroses (electromagnetic fields). These
methods may be useful clinically, especially since some have been
shown to reduce substantially the costs of treatment. 75 More
recently, the development of techniques of tissue engineering
which aim to construct bone tissues in the laboratory, have
showngreatpromiseforthereplacementofmassivebonedefects.
Thesetechniquesareinvasiveandexpensive,however,andfurther
problems must be overcome before they can be adapted for
widespreadclinicaluse.Thelong-termeffectsofimplantedgrowth
factors must be carefully evaluated, and suitable delivery systems
developed to provide the slow release of active molecules which
can target specific areas of the construct. The enhancement of
fracture healing is not only a major issue of health-care, with
potential benefit for millions of patients every year, but is also a
potential market for the industry. Further independent research
must be conducted to make quantified measurements in vivo,
in animal models and in controlled clinical trials undertaken to
ascertain the role of these techniques in improving the healing of
fractures with identification of the most effective material.
(
Source
: D. Hannouche, H. Petite, and L. Sedel, Current Trends
in the Enhancement of Fracture Healing, The Hopital Lariboisiere
and the Laboratoire de Recherches Orthopediques, Paris, France,
http://web.jbjs.org.uk/cgi/reprint/83-B/2/157.pdf.)
6.3 Acoustic/Magnetic Treatment
Perhaps the most promising treatment involves the use of acoustic
(A) or vibrational fields. Bauer currently treats many different
illnesses and diseases, building up a repertoire of treatment
protocols, including frequencies in each different therapeutic case.
