Pulsed electromagnetic stimulation yields positive outcomes after lumbar spinal fusion
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Key takeaways:
- Pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation yielded positive results as an adjunct treatment after lumbar spinal fusion.
- This therapy may be a “useful tool” for patients at risk for pseudoarthrosis.
Published results showed patients at risk for pseudoarthrosis who received pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation as an adjunct treatment after lumbar spinal fusion had improvements in pain, function and quality of life.
Marc A. Weinstein, MD, and colleagues performed a prospective, multicenter study of 142 patients (mean age, 63.27 years) who underwent lumbar spinal fusion surgery with at least one of the following risk factors for pseudoarthrosis: prior failed fusion, multilevel fusion, nicotine use, osteoporosis or diabetes. According to the study, all enrolled patients received pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation (SpinalStim, Orthofix) as an adjunct therapy.
Researchers found 88% of patients (n = 125) had successful fusion at 1 year follow-up. Successful fusion rates were 88.5% for patients with one risk factor, 87.5% for patients with two or more risk factors and 82.3% for patients with three or more risk factors.
Weinstein and colleagues noted patients had significant improvements in SF- 36, EuroQol 5-dimension survey, Oswestry Disability Index and VAS pain scores compared with baseline scores. After analysis of postoperative complications, the researchers found PEMF stimulation had a favorable safety profile and a positive benefit-risk profile throughout the 6-month required use period.
Researchers concluded PEMF stimulation is a “useful tool for adjunct treatment” in this population of patients at risk for pseudoarthrosis.
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