Good Results of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field in Osteoarthritis Treatment in Several Studies

Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) are a type of treatment for the recovery of injuries that has been used for many years in the world of top-level competition, achieving very good results. Nowadays, they are no longer a specific therapy for sports as it is available to everybody, although it is still a rather unknown method.

According to Carmen Rodríguez, Quality Director of Ondatrón, a company specialised in this treatment, the most outstanding feature of PEMFs therapy is the powerful anti-inflammatory effect, which acts on pain and reduces it considerably. It also helps to delay the degenerative process of the joints, accelerates the repair process in fractures and improves the oxygenation of the tissues and their own hydration.

In recent years, several studies have supported the effectiveness of the application of pulsed electromagnetic fields in the treatment of osteoarthritis. A 2012 study analysed the use of PEMPs by comparing patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who received this therapy and patients who received a placebo treatment. Nearly 1,000 patients participated in the study, which resulted in a significant improvement in osteoarthritis in patients who had been treated with pulsed electromagnetic fields (Seo Ryang We et al., Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field on knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review, Rheumatology Oxford Journals, 2012).  

Another 2014 study compared the efficacy of two different electromagnetic field frequencies (37 and 75Hz). It showed that in both cases an increase in cartilage thickness could be observed, but that the 75Hz frequency achieved better results (F. Veronesi et al., In vivo effect of two different pulsed electromagnetic field frequencies on osteaoarthritis, Journal of Orthopedic Research, 2014).

It may seem a complex and difficult method to use, but the application of PEMFs offers many advantages actually: it is a non-invasive and painless home treatment, it can be placed during sleeping hours to save time, it is compatible with plaster casts or immobilisers and it is suitable for well-protected post-operative wounds.  

Last March, at the Articulating Sport Simposium organised by OAFI, we had the pleasure of having the presence of Fisiocare Italy, a medical centre specialised in rehabilitation and pain treatment with pulsed electromagnetic field, and also Ondatrón. They explained in depth the benefits of this treatment and many other details that you can find in the following link:

Simposio Articulando el Deporte 2021: Tratamiento de lesiones con campos electromagnéticos pulsados

We also featured Carmen Rodríguez from Ondatrón in a recent OAFI Radio programme which you can find here:

OAFI Radio: Ayuno intermitente, mitos y verdades // Campos electromagnéticos pulsados