| Minerva Med. 1983 Apr 7;74(14-15):823-33. |
Magnetotherapy in clinical and ambulatory practice.
[Article in Italian]
Annaratone G, Rapelli G, Graziano G.
The results of experimental research into the physical, physiological and biological effects on the tissues of electromagnetic fields are analysed. The research was conducted on 354 patients either hospitalised or treated in outpatients departments for orthopaedic conditions. These patients were treated with electromagnetic currents for a period of 10 days and the effects mainly on oedema, pain and inflammation were evaluated. The effects were distinctly positive especially in the case of acute lesions. In addition, no unpleasant or harmful topical or systemic side effects were observed.
| Minerva Med. 1996 Oct;87(10):495-7. |
Magnetic fields in physical therapy. Experience in orthopedics and traumatology rehabilitation.
[Article in Italian]
Borg MJ, Marcuccio F, Poerio AM, Vangone A.
Servizio di Recupero e Rieducazione Funzionale, Ospedale CTO-ASL 1-Napoli.
The present research is based on the premise that magnetic fields stimulate biological tissues, as many international works assert. They believe in the real aid of this therapeutical treatment in orthopedy and traumatology. The authors work in Rehabilitation Department of a traumatological hospital, so they have studied therapeutical results in ELF magnetotherapy on their patients for as long as six months.
| Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb. 2000 Sep-Oct;138(5):379-89. |
Pulsating electromagnetic fields in treatment of injuries and illnesses of the locomotor system–an overview and meta-analysis.
[Article in German]
Schmidt-Rohlfing B, Silny J, Niethard FU.
Orthopadische Universitatsklinik, RWTH Aachen. Bernhard.Schmidt@post.rwth-aachen.de
AIM: Recently, pulsating electromagnetic fields have gained wide attraction in the treatment of various orthopaedic diseases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the scientific evidence for the effectiveness of this therapeutic tool. METHOD: All clinical studies which deal with pulsating electromagnetic fields in the treatment of orthopaedic conditions are reviewed. To elucidate the physiological basis of the method, important experimental studies are considered. RESULTS: 37 clinical studies with 3379 patients are evaluated, of which only a minority were performed as prospective studies with control groups. The results of the studies, performed on patients with various orthopaedic conditions, are not unequivocal and partly inconsistent. In view of the physiological basis many questions remain unanswered. CONCLUSIONS: At present the use of pulsating electromagnetic fields in the treatment of orthopaedic diseases is not scientifically proven.
| Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb. 1985 May-Jun;123(3):258-64. |
Mechanics as a basic physical discipline in orthopedics and traumatology.
[Article in German]
Bodem F, Brussatis F.
Among the various relationships between fields of the clinical medicine and fields of physics, the relationship between orthopaedics and traumatology and mechanics is of a particularly close and manifold nature. We try to present in this contribution a description of the physical principles of mechanics and to give a survey of its various fields of application in orthopaedic and traumatologic basic research.
| Ugeskr Laeger. 1994 Aug 29;156(35):4958-61. |
Ambulatory treatment of injuries
[Article in Danish]
Hansen TB.
Den Medicinske Forskningsenhed for Ringkobing Amt, Ulykkes Analyse Gruppen/ortopaedkirurgisk afdeling O.
In Denmark as well as in other countries an increase in the number of minor trauma treatments has been observed. This increase has not been observed in major trauma, suggesting an alteration in people’s behaviour after trauma. As a result, more people are seeking treatment after minor injuries without an increase in the number of accidents. Suggestions have been made to reorganize the treatment of minor injuries to keep expenses down, and the treatment of minor injuries in accident and emergency departments as well as in general practice has been described in prospective investigations, but comparative studies between trauma treatment in accident and emergency departments or general practice have not been made. Economical studies of benefits (or losses) in different structures of trauma treatment are scarce. Comparative studies between minor trauma treatment in accident and emergency departments and general practice including detailed economical analysis should be carried out before changes in treatment structure are made, and the effect of these changes should be carefully evaluated afterwards.
| Zentralbl Chir. 1977;102(21):1281-5. |
Out-patient or in-patient treatment after trauma? (author’s transl).
[Article in German]
Arnold K, Franke K, Lowie G.
The best therapeutic results after trauma are obtained by an optimal and possibly definitive primary treatment. In this case the in-patient and out-patient-treatment have to be a unity. The advantage of a mobile consultation service between highly specialized departments (neurosurgery, thoraxsurgery, blood vessel surgery) is referred to.
| Versicherungsmedizin. 1998 Feb 1;50(1):7-12. |
Expanded ambulatory physiotherapy (EAP) and ambulatory orthopedic trauma rehabilitation (AOTR).
[Article in German]
von Bergen KD.
Orthopaedic rehabilitation for outpatients in Germany called EAP/AOTR is a new and complex therapy which combines elements of physical therapy and orthopaedic rehabilitation that so far have only been applied separately. This sophisticated therapy is based on individually made up plan of treatment, supervised by a specialist. Its aim is to substitute/shorten inpatient treatment and inability to work. Indications are strictly stipulated and differ among the various health insurance companies and state pension authorities. Undue increase in indication, in duration of treatment and thus in cost led to criticism by the above mentioned institutions. This effective treatment will eventually hold an eminent place in medical care if proper attention is paid to efficient control, adherence to basic agreement and requirements, scientific research and evaluation, as well as to increase consultation of specialists, qualified in physical rehabilitation. To renounce outpatient treatment as an alternative to inpatient treatment is unreasonable from a medical point of view and is quite impossible with regard to cost.