THE EFFECT OF ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSING ON POSTERIOR LUMBAR SPINAL FUSIONS IN DOGS

This study evaluated the effect of pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF ) on the healing of lumbar spinal fusions. Bilateral posterior facet f usions were performed at L1-2 and L4-5 in 24 adult mongrel dogs. After surgery, eight animals were stimulated with a pulse burst type signal (PEMF) for 30 minutes a day, and eight animals were stimulated with t he same PEMF for 60 minutes a day. The remaining eight animals receive d no active PEMF stimulation and served as controls. Four animals from each group were euthanatized at 6 and 12 weeks, and the facet fusions were evaluated using high resolution radiographs and routine histolog y No statistical difference in the radiographic or histologic appearan ce of the fusion mass could be detected between the stimulated and con trol groups at either 6 or 12 weeks. The results of this study suggest that PEMF stimulation had no effect on the healing of the primary pos terior spinal fusions in this controlled experimental canine model.