In Vivo Measurement of Voltage and Resistance in Fractured Human Bone: A Pilot Study

Background: The role of the central and peripheral nervous system in human fracture healing is largely unknown. Over the past 60 years, however, there has been a significant amount of research on the piezoelectric effect and streaming potentials and their role in fracture healing. Most of the previous literature has been published either in animal models or dry bone with little research on the bioelectric parameters of live, human bone. The primary objective of this study was to determine the in vivo voltage and resistance of live, human bone. A secondary objective if this study was to compare our readings with previous studies and discuss the potential limitations of this exploratory, pilot study.Methods: In this study, we measured the voltage and resistance of fractured human bone in 14 patients undergoing reduction and fixation for fractures. We utilized stainless steel needle electrodes and measured bioelectric parameters in various types of bones, including the femur, tibia, fibula, radius, humerus, and the first metatarsal.Results: Equilibrated average voltage and resistance readings ranged from 7 to 70 mV and 0.57 to 29 M & omega;, respectively.Conclusion: Although we determined baselines values for in vivo voltage and resistance of live, human bone, further investigation into study design and data acquisition is warranted in order to obtain more accurate and precise values.