Therapeutic Applications of Electromagnetic Fields in Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Review of Current Techniques and Mechanisms of Action
Ali Yadollahpour1 and Samaneh Rashidi2

1Assistant Professor of Medical Physics, Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.

2M.Sc. Student of Medical Physics, Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

Abstract: Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) have been increasingly used as an alternative or adjunctive treatment option for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) like fractures, arthritis and osteoporosis. The electromagnetic based treatments can be divided into four main groups based on their physical characteristics and consequent biological effects: Direct current, capacitive coupling, inductive coupling (pulsed EMF), and combined magnetic fields. Despite the wide range of treatment modalities and various applications of EMFs in MSDs, the mechanism of actions of each modality are not yet completely understood. In addition, there was no comprehensive comparative study on different modalities to determine the appropriate technique for each MSD. The present study aims to review the most common EMF based therapeutic methods for MSDs and compare their therapeutic efficiency for each disorder. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action of each method are discussed.

Keywords: Musculoskeletal Disorders; Electromagnetic field; treatment; Bone fracture; osteoporosis; Arthritis; Mechanism of Action

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