Use of Pulsing Electromagnetic Fields for the Treatment of Pelvic Stress Fractures Among Female Soldiers.
Abstract
The literature and clinical experience indicate that the overwhelming incidence of pelvic area stress fractures is among women engaged in strenuous activities. Pulsing electromagnetic fields (PEMFs)have been shown to speed the healing of non-union fractures and we have used them successfully to treat stress fractures in the lower limbs. All women at Ft. Lewis who have the clinical symptom complex indicative of pelvic area stress fractures are being referred for bone scans. Thirty soldiers meeting the criteria have had bone scans but only four have been positive. Subjects with negative bone scans but meeting all other criteria are placed into the musculoskeletal pelvic pain group. Patients are stratified by presence or absence of a fracture and then randomized into actual PEMF and placebo PEMF groups and treated for one hour per day until they return to duty. Changes in the bone scan are used to determine differences between the fracture groups while differences in pain and return to duty are used to determine differences between the musculoskeletal groups. Results to date indicate that pelvic stress fractures are being misdiagnosed. If these results are confirmed, treatments for women showing this symptom complex may be changed as they receive treatments designed to ameliorate stress fractures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 11, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA327486
Entities
People
- D. E. Jones
- Richard Sherman
Organizations
- Madigan Army Medical Center