Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30645684›Full record

SynthesisInternational orthopaedics2019

Biophysical stimulation of bone and cartilage: state of the art and future perspectives.

Leo Massari, Franco Benazzo, Francesco Falez, Dario Perugia, Luca Pietrogrande, Stefania Setti, Raffaella Osti, Enrico Vaienti, Carlo Ruosi, Ruggero Cadossi

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in International orthopaedics, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 74 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
74citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

74 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
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  12. Time to consider fracture nonunion an orphan disease? An update into pathophysiology, epidemiology and therapeutic solutions.European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society · 2025
    Review
  13. Accelerated Bone Healing via Electrical Stimulation.Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) · 2025
    Review
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  17. Article
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14 more citing papers are in PubMed but not listed here.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Leo MassariUniversity of Ferrara, Via Vigne 4, 44121, Ferrara, Italy. msl@unife.it.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6198-2122
Franco BenazzoIRCCS Foundation "San Matteo" Hospital, University of Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy.
Francesco FalezSanto Spirito in Sassia Hospital, 00193, Rome, Italy.
Dario PerugiaLa Sapienza University, 00185, Rome, Italy.
Luca PietrograndeSan Paolo Hospital, University of Milan, 20142, Milan, Italy.
Stefania SettiIGEA Clincal Biophysics, 41012, Carpi, MO, Italy.
Raffaella OstiOsti Clinic, 44121, Ferrara, Italy.
Enrico VaientiUniversity of Parma, 43100, Parma, Italy.
Carlo RuosiFederico II University Naples, 80100, Naples, Italy.
Ruggero CadossiIGEA Clincal Biophysics, 41012, Carpi, MO, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionBiophysical stimulation is a non-invasive therapy used in orthopaedic practice to increase and enhance reparative and anabolic activities of tissue.

methodsA sistematic web-based search for papers was conducted using the following titles: (1) pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF), capacitively coupled electrical field (CCEF), low intensity pulsed ultrasound system (LIPUS) and biophysical stimulation; (2) bone cells, bone tissue, fracture, non-union, prosthesis and vertebral fracture; and (3) chondrocyte, synoviocytes, joint chondroprotection, arthroscopy and knee arthroplasty.

resultsPre-clinical studies have shown that the site of interaction of biophysical stimuli is the cell membrane. Its effect on bone tissue is to increase proliferation, synthesis and release of growth factors. On articular cells, it creates a strong A DISCUSSION: The pooled result of the studies in this review revealed the efficacy of biophysical stimulation for bone healing and joint chondroprotection based on proven methodological quality.

conclusionThe orthopaedic community has played a central role in the development and understanding of the importance of the physical stimuli. Biophysical stimulation requires care and precision in use if it is to ensure the success expected of it by physicians and patients.

Indexed as

AnimalsBone and BonesBone DiseasesBone RegenerationCartilageCartilage DiseasesChondrocytesElectric Stimulation TherapyFractures, BoneHumansMagnetic Field TherapyBiophysical stimulationBone tissueCartilageCCEFLIPUSPEMF

Identifiers

PMID30645684
PMCPMC6399199

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.