Objective: To assess the experimental and clinical data regarding the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on fracture non-union.
Data sources: The English language literature regarding EMFs on fracture non-union were searched using MEDLINE, Web of Science and Embase, for the period January 2006 to June 2011. The search terms were electromagnetic fields and non-union/bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs)/bone.
Study selection: Articles were included in the review if they were related to the use of EMFs on BMSCs or bone tissue. Papers without full manuscripts available were excluded.
Results: The basic and clinical research in this field, while somewhat limited, supports the insightful application of EMFs to ameliorate disability due to fracture non-union.
Conclusions: Further basic and clinical research to validate the use of EMFs in facilitating function and bone reparative processes in fracture non-union is required.