I just got a bone growth stimulator to get my bone graft to work correctly and fuse my vertebrae together. It's a weird looking rectangle thing I'll have to wear two hours every day! I feel weird about it. I've never even heard of such a thing, but my neurosurgeon sent it with a guy to teach me to use it, and I guess I have to, but the idea of electromagnetic-mumbo-jumbo screwing with my bones makes me feel weird. Anyone ever heard of such a thing?
I just got a bone growth stimulator to get my bone graft to work correctly and fuse my vertebrae together. It's a weird looking rectangle thing I'll have to wear two hours every day! I feel weird about it. I've never even heard of such a thing, but my neurosurgeon sent it with a guy to teach me to use it, and I guess I have to, but the idea of electromagnetic-mumbo-jumbo screwing with my bones makes me feel weird. Anyone ever heard of such a thing?
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Heres a pic that i googled of one....does it look like this Knight?
My mother and I read the book that came with mine, and thought I'd share some quotes from it.
"...the 1950s that scientists made an important discovery. When human bone is bent or broken, it generates and electrical field. This low-level electrical field activates the body's own repair mechanism which, in turn, stimulates bone healing. Orthofix PEMF bone growth stimulators generate a uniform, low-level, pulsed electromagnetic field similar to the electrical field generated by the body."
"Spinal-Stim has been tested in a clinical study involving 54 surgeons at 31 centers. This clinical investigation contained a prospective randomized double-masked trial of PEMF [Pulsed electromagnetic field] efficacy Spinal-Stim was tested as a surgical adjunct in patients undergoing a first attempt at lumbar fusion. At one year postoperative, patients using active devices of a consistent daily regimen (an average of at least 2 hours per day) developed solid fusion in 92.2% of the cases. Patients consistently using placebo (inactive) devices developed solid fusion in 67.9% of the cases. This 35% increase in treatment effect is statistically significant, and is realized regardless of: number of levels, gender, smoking, graft type, vertebral level, age, and/or internal fixation." "The Spinal-Stim should be worn daily for a minimum of two hours per day. Based upon clinical data, the overall treatment duration ranges between 90 and 270 days based upon specific patient conditions."
"It is lightweight and adjustable... treatment can be received while sitting, walking, relining, sleeping, etc."
Quotes from the Instruction Manual that comes with the Orthofix® Spinal-Stim® Spine Fusion Stimulator www.orthofix.com
I have been doing some research on this thing, and there seem to be some side effects. I wore it for the full 2 hours, like it was prescribed, and afterwards, I went to the bathroom, got ready for bed, and kept having this dull ache in my back. As soon as I laid down in bed it went from dull to a sharp cramping pain I've never felt before-- it was worse than when my bones were grinding on each other. I am apprehensive about this product, and have done a little research. I will try it again this evening, and if my pain is horrible again, I will call my doctor.
A friend of mine was badly injured in a logging accident, and they used this for him when his bone was not regrowing properly. He had autologus bone grafts, and some artificial parts that were later removed. Made a huge difference in his healing, and he is able to do heavy physical work again. (He is not paralyzed.)
The bone growth stimulators have been around for a while now. I remember seeing athletes wearing them on their arms and legs. I used to be on a forum of broken bones and many of the people there used them.
Good luck.
Millard
"Life's tough!. It's even tougher if you're stupid!" - John Wayne