Your fracture needs good nutrition to heal. There are many causes and factors of nonunions such as lack of Vitamin D and inadequate immobilization that can be reversed and treated. In many cases, your doctor may be able to identify and treat the cause of the nonunion. If you have a pacemaker or a defibrillator, unless you talk to your cardiologist first.If you have a “false joint” (pseudarthrosis).If your fracture gap is greater than 50% of the diameter of the bone.If your bone is stabilized with magnetic materials.People with a growth disorder (skeletal immaturity).Įxperts say that bone stimulators shouldn’t be used in these situations: The use of bone stimulators hasn’t been found to cause any adverse side effects. Īn implanted electrical stimulator may cost up to $5,000. The cost may depend on the manufacturer and type of bone stimulator. If your doctor has prescribed a bone stimulator, check with your insurance to see if they cover the cost, or ask your doctor how much it will cost. They say that improvements in modern surgical techniques may have lessened the potential benefit of stimulators. Other experts say that recent data doesn’t show the benefit of the use of these stimulators. One study found that healthcare costs were lower among those who used bone stimulators compared to those who received low-intensity pulsed ultrasound stimulation or neither treatment for their nonunion fractures.īut a different study found that those receiving bone stimulators had higher health-related costs over a year compared to those who didn’t use stimulators. Studies of the use of electrical bone stimulation have also found that it may speed up healing time in smokers. The effectiveness of electrical bone stimulators hasn’t been determined, and studies have had mixed results.Ī 2008 review of scientific trials on electric stimulators found that pain was reduced in only one of the four trials. An implanted stimulator allows for constant stimulation directly at the fracture site but may cause infection. īone stimulators are either external or surgically implanted into the area of the affected bone. To be effective, bone stimulator treatment must be used every day. It uses ultrasonic or pulsed electromagnetic waves. What Are Bone Stimulators?Ī bone stimulator is a device that generates an electric current meant to encourage bone growth. If a broken bone doesn’t heal in nine months, it’s considered a nonunion fracture. Medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and aspirin.Some other factors also increase the risk of your fracture not healing on its own, including: These fractures are also more likely if they were caused by a severe injury, like the kind experienced in a car crash, which reduces blood supply to the affected area. Nonunion fractures typically happen when your bone doesn’t have enough blood flow or stability, or both.
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