Stimulation of Osteogenesis by Direct Electric Current (Review)

Background. Stimulation of osteogenesis in the treatment of certain orthopedic and trauma pathologies is a necessary element to ensure the best clinical outcome. The purpose of the present analytical review is to analyze the literature data in respect of evaluating the approaches and possibilities to stimulate osteogenesis using direct current. Methods. The search for literature data was performed in the open electronic databases of scientific literature PubMed and eLIBRARY under the following keywords and their combinations: “osteogenesis”, “reparative osteogenesis”, “direct electric current”, “orthopaedics”, “traumatology”, “electric current” (in Russian as well as in English language ). Results. According to some fundamental research, the stimulating effect of direct current lies is both in stimulating differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts, and in stimulating differentiation of stem cells, mainly mesenchymal stem cells of bone marrow and adipose tissue, in the process of osteogenesis. The following stimulating technologies were developed and clinically tested to date: 1 — direct exposure of bone to the direct current; 2 — capacitive coupled stimulation; and 3 — inductive coupled (electromagnetic) stimulation. Analysis of clinical practice demonstrated that the first technology is most effective in terms of osteoreparation, but less safe than technology 2 and 3. It should be noted that there are no clear indications and modes of application for the abovementioned methods. Based on the data collected in the present analysis, technology 1 is considered by authors as the most promising. Safety of technology 1 can be enhanced by application of metal implants as electrodes in case those are planned to be used for medical reasons: wires, rods, staples, fixators, etc. Conclusion. Use of electric current to stimulate bone formation is a promising method which requires clarification in respect of indications and application modes.