Bone growth stimulators (internal or external) are expensive, costing from $500 to $5,000; nonetheless, you can always check with your insurance company to know if they cover the cost. Note that the cost of bone growth stimulators varies with the type prescribed for you and the manufacturer.
A bone growth stimulator is a device that generates an electric current to provide pulsed and electromagnetic waves to the broken bones that have failed to heal post-surgery (such bones are called nonunion). For a more effective result, you will need to wear this device around the nonunion site every day until the fractured bone is completely healed.
Born growth stimulators are available in two forms namely;
• Internal bone growth stimulator is implanted in the area of the fractured bone via surgery and extracted via a small incision after it has served its purpose. It works by delivering electrical current to the part of the bone that needs to grow. This type of bone growth stimulator is usually small and will not cause any discomfort, pains, or even show through your skin.
• External bone growth stimulator does not require implantation since it is usually worn on the skin, close to the area that requires its effect. This portable device is powered by a battery and worn for 2 to 9 hours daily for a period of 3 to 9 months, depending on the severity of the nonunion and the prescription of your orthopedic doctor. Unlike internal bone growth stimulators, external bone growth stimulators are only prescribed weeks or months after surgery if the bone isn’t healing as expected.
Is Bone Growth Stimulator Safe?
Generally, bone growth stimulator is considered safe to use, especially since they are approved by the FDA. Although technological advancements have brought about portable and more convenient bone growth stimulator devices to help fractures heal faster, bone growth stimulators have been used for a very long time. Surprisingly, there have been no records of them causing any adverse effects on their users. Also, the stimulation they provide to the nonunion site is painless but this does not mean that you won’t feel anything when using it.
For safety reasons, here are some cases where you SHOULD NOT use a bone growth stimulator.
• If you are pregnant
• If you use a defibrillator or pacemaker
• If the fracture gap is 50% more than the diameter of your bone
• If you have pseudarthrosis or false joints
• If you have any form of bone growth disorder
• If you have any form of magnetic materials stabilizing your bone
How does a bone growth stimulator work?
The two ends of a fractured bone have a positive and negative charge respectively. In simpler terms, the stimulator uses electric current to produce electromagnetic waves that bring the two charged ends together until they join and the healing is complete.
Is a bone growth stimulator effective?
One study showed that patients who use bone growth stimulators experience less nonunion, reduced pain, and fast healing, another study showed that only one among four patients experienced less pain with electrical stimulation.
Conclusions like this have stirred up debates among experts and researchers; hence, they have agreed that since electrical stimulation produced by bone growth stimulators has no side effects, more research should be carried out to gain a deeper insight into its effectiveness.
When do I need a bone growth stimulator?
The general idea behind bone growth stimulators is to aid the healing process of fractured bones, especially if it is not healing as they should. Some of the factors that affect fractured bone and impair its healing process include;
• Instability
• Infection
• Low blood supply to the affected area
• Poor nutrition
• Age
• Excessive intake of alcohol
• Low levels of vitamin D
• Diabetes
• Smoking
• Osteoporosis
• Use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
Conclusion
Bones are designed to heal on their own naturally after a fracture; but in cases where they experience difficulty healing as a result of one or more of the factors we’ve listed above, your orthopedist may need to recommend a bone stimulator for you, which will help it heal. However, this device and the entire treatment procedure don’t come cheap. So, you might want to weigh your options by checking out various types and manufacturers to get a deal you are comfortable with.
- Can my nutrition cause nonunion?
Yes, it can. Fractures require a lot of calcium, protein, vitamin C, and D to heal properly. So, ensure that your diet is packed with these nutrients whether you intend to use a stimulator or not.
- How long do I need to use a bone growth stimulator?
This depends on the severity of the nonunion. You may need to use it for 3 to 12 months and even more.
- Do I need a prescription from an orthopedist before buying a bone growth stimulator?
Yes, you do. This is because fracture varies and only a professional can tell you which stimulator will be ideal for your nonunion.
- Can I use a bone growth stimulator for any fracture?
Yes, you can. There are various options of bone stimulators available on the market for different types of fractures and nonunion.
