Purpose of Technology: Noninvasive electrical bone growth stimulators (EBGS) are external devices that deliver electrical energy to a fracture or bone fusion site. The goal is to induce osteogenesis, stimulate bone growth, and promote healing of fresh, delayed, or nonunion bone fractures and surgical joint fusions.
Controversy: Controversial issues related to clinical use of noninvasive EBGS include effectiveness versus placebo, device selection, optimal treatment parameters and duration, treatment adherence, and patient selection (i.e., which patients may benefit from the treatment).
Relevant Questions:
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Are noninvasive EBGS devices effective in promoting bone healing, reducing pain, or improving function when applied to lumbar and lumbosacral spinal fusion sites?
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Are noninvasive EBGS devices effective in promoting bone healing, reducing pain, or improving function when applied to cervical spinal fusion sites?
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Are noninvasive EBGS devices effective in promoting bone healing, reducing pain, or improving function when applied to ankle or foot arthrodesis sites?
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Are noninvasive EBGS devices effective in promoting bone healing, reducing pain, or improving function when applied to osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLT) sites after arthroscopic surgery with or without biologic treatment?
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Are noninvasive EBGS devices safe?
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Have definitive patient selection criteria for noninvasive EBGS for each of these indications been established?
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