THERAPY WITH PULSED ELECTROMAGNETIC-FIELDS IN ASEPTIC LOOSENING OF TOTAL HIP PROTHESES - A PROSPECTIVE-STUDY

Aseptic loosening is the most common problem of hip arthroplasties, li miting its long term success. We report a study of pulsed electromagne tic field (PEMF) treatment in 24 patients with this complicatin. At th e end of treatment, six months and one year later, pain and hip moveme nts improved significantly with the exception of flexion and extension . There was significant improvement in both isotope scans and ultrason ography, but not in plain X-ray. The decreased pain and improved funct ion suggest that PEMF is effective in improving symptoms of patients w ith loose hip replacement. No improvement, however, can be expected in patients with severe pain due to gross loosening.