Biomechanical and ultrastructural studies on effects of electrical stimulation on experimental fracture healing in rabbit

The effects of constant direct current of 20 microamperes on the tibial fracture healing was experimentally studied in rabbits after giving stimulation for 14 days. The healing process was evaluated by biomechanical investigation and electron microscopical studies. The results with electron microscopy revealed more density of matrix, better arrangement of collagen fibrils and enhanced maturation of bone cells in electrically stimulated animals as compared with those of control group. The mean of bending stiffness, maximum load, maximum stress, yield stress and maximum absorbed energy in fractured bone of stimulated group were more as compared to those of control animals, though the differences were statistically nonsignificant.