Extracorporeal magnetotransduction therapy as an adjunctive and primary modality for bone healing: a scoping review of current evidence.

Abstract

Background: Delayed or improper bone healing causes significant physical and socioeconomic burdens. Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy aims to improve fracture repair but shows inconsistent results. Extracorporeal Magnetotransduction Therapy offers higher oscillation frequencies and magnetic field strengths than PEMF, potentially enhancing bone regeneration through deeper tissue penetration and stronger cellular stimulation.

Methods: A scoping review identified nine studies on EMTT for fracture healing: two in vitro, six case reports, and one pilot clinical trial.

Results: In vitro, EMTT upregulated osteogenic genes and accelerated matrix mineralization without harming cell viability, demonstrating a biological role in bone formation. Clinical reports and the pilot trial showed faster bone union, pain relief, and functional improvement when EMTT was used alone or with extracorporeal shockwave therapy.

Conclusion: Preliminary evidence supports EMTT as a safe and potentially viable non-operative modality, primarily as an adjunct to established treatments such as ESWT. These studies also illustrate EMTT's potential to enhance angiogenesis, osteogenic gene expression, and clinical bone healing. Clinical cases of delayed union and non-union fractures demonstrating healing with EMTT, resulting in successful union and return to sport for all patients reported. While results suggest synergistic effects with Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), the evidence remains limited by small sample sizes, publication bias, and confounding adjunct therapies. Future randomized controlled trials are required to establish standardized protocols and isolate EMTT's efficacy as monotherapy.