The role of combined magnetic field bone growth stimulation as an adjunct in the treatment of neuroarthropathy/Charcot joint: an expanded pilot study.

Abstract

This study was designed to assess the value of combined magnetic field (CMF) bone growth stimulation in the treatment of acute, phase 1, Charcot neuroarthopathy. Thirty-one subjects were studied. Initially 10 controls and 11 study patients were examined. When the initial results were analyzed, 10 additional study patients were added. The result was a statistically significant reduction in time to consolidation, 23.8 weeks for the control versus 11 weeks for the study group. Additionally, less destruction of the bony architecture was noted in the study group as compared to the control. Thus the results of this expanded pilot study demonstrate the efficacy of CMF in accelerating the consolidation process of acute, phase 1, Charcot joint, and decreasing the amount of residual deformity.