Healing in the New Millennium: Bone Stimulators An Overview of Where We've Been and Where We May be Heading

Bone stimulators encompass several technologies that promote bone healing via manipulation of energy fields. Primary indications for the use of bone stimulation devices are the delayed union and nonunion. Electromagnetic fields and their uses in bone healing have been fairly well-studied, with most results showing improvement in healing of both bone and cartilage, although most supportive data are found in relation to the spine, femur, and tibia. There is increasing evidence for its use in the foot and ankle, for both treatments of nonunions and as an adjunctive device in arthrodeses, particularly in high-risk populations.