J. Ryan Martin, MD; George Vestermark, MD; Brian Mullis, MD; and Jeffrey Anglen, MD
A Retrospective Comparative Analysis of the Use of Implantable Bone Stimulators in Nonunions
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This study details the use of implantable bone stimulators in the setting of nonunion. A retrospective comparative analysis was used to evaluate the efficacy of implantable bone stimulators in achieving union in the setting of atrophic or oligotrophic nonunion by two fellowship-trained orthopaedic trauma surgeons. Initially, 72 patients underwent surgical intervention for nonunion. Twenty-one patients had an implantable bone stimulator placed at the time of nonunion surgery. Thirty-eight patients had a minimum of 1-year follow-up. An implantable bone stimulator was used in 13 patients and 25 patients did not have a bone stimulator. The use of implantable bone stimulators was found to be significantly associated with increased union rates (p D .042). (Journal of Surgical Orthopaedic Advances 26(3):128–133, 2017) Key words: bone stimulators, electrical stimulation, nonunion