Are New Approaches Needed to Solidify Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields and Osteoarthritis Associations: A 50-year Retrospective Showing Promise but No Definitive Lab or Clinical Research Conclusions (1974-2024)

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis, a painful oftentimes disabling joint disorder affects many older adults and others globally. Involving progressive and distinctive biologic as well as structural alterations of the articular cartilage tissue lining freely moving joints such as the knee joint and often the underlying bone the condition is presently considered incurable. Objective: In seeking to advance therapies for this condition, this report was designed to examine the rationale for and potential efficacy of, applying pulsed electromagnetic fields clinically for purposes of reducing osteoarthritis pain and other related symptoms disease features, especially through its impact on cartilage, the tissue most consistently implicated in this disease. Methods: Available English language literature published largely on PUBMED between 1974 and 2024 were reviewed a) in general; b) to specifically examine whether favourable changes in pain as well as the disease itself might be expected from the application of pulsed electromagnetic fields in some form to an osteoarthritic joint and c) why this occurs, if observed. Key search terms used were: Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields, Cartilage, Chondrocyte, Disability and Osteoarthritis. Results: The data search revealed a large body of basic and clinical research in this field has persisted over time with no definitive conclusion, but with tentative support for its possible potential use for mitigating pain and improving cartilage homeostasis and joint function via several biologic pathways. Conclusion: Further basic and carefully controlled short and long term clinical research alongside comparable lab studies appear strongly indicated and may help to better validate and support the possible more mainstream and/or targeted clinical use of one or more forms of pulsed electromagnetic fields in facilitating function and possible joint reparative processes in adults with osteoarthritis, while reducing pain, inflammation, stiffness and the magnitude of joint derangement and dysfunction.