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Bone formation near direct current electrodes with and without motion
Author(s) -
Spadaro Joseph A.,
Albanese Stephen A.,
Chase Sharon E.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.1100100515
Subject(s) - medullary cavity , cathode , electrode , current (fluid) , materials science , direct current , chemistry , inducer , biomedical engineering , anatomy , voltage , electrical engineering , medicine , biochemistry , gene , engineering
The osteogenesis induced in the medullary canal of rabbits by the implantation of moving and stationary wire electrodes was studied with and without the simultaneous application of 20‐μA constant direct cathodic current. After 3 weeks, the formation of new trabecular bone in the canal was studied and measured microscopically. Electrically stimulated osteogenesis was not observed at stationary electrodes. As in previous studies with this model, a movable electrode alone stimulated new bone formation whose area was 7–10% of the canal area. The amount of this bone was not statistically increased by the addition of cathode current. Movable, electrically active cathodes were associated, however, with fluid‐filled spaces incorporated within the new trabecular bone. When mechanical stimuli were controlled, we were not able to demonstrate that the direct current stainless steel cathode acts either as an inducer or a substantial enhancer of medullary osteogenesis.