Bioelectrical potential variations during bone fracture healing using a partial rabbit tibial fracture model

Preliminary bioelectrical potential distribution measurements of healing rabbit tibia partial mid-diaphysis osteotomies during the fracture healing process are reported. Bioelectrical potentials are shown to become negative post surgery with the region near the fracture having the greatest negative changes. Bioelectric potentials recovery towards prefracture levels is slower when using pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation which may be an indicator of the increased cellular metabolic activity associated with acceleration of the healing process.