Magnetic Wound Treatment Externally Applied Magnetic Fields
A further effect relies on disinfecting capacity of oxygen radicals. With an increase
in oxygen partial pressure, the number of germs in the wound will decrease considerably
(Elstner, 1990).
In general, where there is normally a good supply of oxygen and energy in the
wound area, only a comparatively smaller influence can be expected from the magnetic
field treatment on wound healing. In contrast, a greater impact can be expected
where such a supply in wound areas is critical.
Experimental Results
Kraus (1974) reports on the healing of acid burn necrotic skin wounds of
animals. The treatment with magnetic fields of 8 x 10' A/m as compared to controls
without it, showed a better organization of collagen fibres after ten days. The
same author describes the influence of low frequency fields on the healing of
skin wounds on the back of rats (Kraus, 1984). The subcutaneous tissue, considerably
burnt by acid, was treated 8 hours daily with a magnetic field of 6.4 x 10' A/m
and at a frequency of 22 Hz (sinus) in the direction of the longitudinal body
axis. Within 21 to 26 days wounds of 12 cin 2 and 20 cm 2 closed, whereas similar
wounds, not treated magnetically, showed ulcers and scabs, even after 50 days.
As pointed out, these results could be confirmed through clinical observations.
Identical wound areas, mostly described as deep second degree burns, were treated
6 hours daily with magnetic fields of 1.6 x 10' A/m to 2.4 x 103 A/m and at a
frequency of 20 Hz. The results were compared to those groups of patients who
had similar wounds, but were not treated with magnetic fields. In almost all cases,
a faster spontaneous epithelialization and a better scar formation was
observed. These healing processes can be summarized: The treatment with magnetic
field raises the healing capacity of complicated wounds to that of normally healing
wounds (Kraus, 1984).
Wound dressings generally allow the application of permanent magnets - so no power
supply needed - close to the wound during the healing process. Muhlbauer (1974)
presents results of wound healing achieved by using pairs of small permanent magnets
(strontium-ferrite) put together in belt form. Each pair was placed in such a
way that the air, respectively field gaps, were along the incision (abdominal
wall of the patient). Using this "magnetic zipper", it was possible
to close the wounds well without the use of sutures. A clearly higher scar quality
fields healed without significant scar formation was achieved when results were
compared to wound closures without magnets respectively with sutures.
The said arrangement of magnets was also used on the edges of burn wounds. Besides
this sutureless magnetic zipper, sutures were used for other wounds for comparison
purposes. In all cases the wounds treated with magnetic fields healed without
significant scar formation, whereas similar wounds not treated with magnetic fields
showed signs of keloid formation and hypotrophy. In Muhlbauers article (1974)
impressive photographs are reproduced showing keloid formation of burn wounds
on both sides of the lower jaw of a patient.
In experiments on rabbits and guinea pigs, a sutureless zipper with permanent
magnets stuck on externally was first developed. The incision line, treated with
magnetic field, healed showing only a fine, lineal, totally level scarline without
excessive scar tissue. Histologically most remarkable and clinically verified
was the orderly growth of the collagen fibre bundles parallel to the magnetic
field, i.e. across the wound incision.
In contrast, wounds not treated with magnetic fields showed a disorderly alignment
of fibres. It is remarkable that the fibroblasts reach the fibrocytes stage earlier
when the magnetic field treatment is used.
P. Kokoschinegg (1981) has worked with magnetic plasters (Tai-ki Acudot). Here
a ferrite magnet, 5 mm in diameter and approximately 2.25 mm in height, is mounted
onto a plaster 20 mm in diameter. 3 mm above the centre the magnetic field strength
is about 1.1 X 104 A/m and decreases rapidly towards the sides. A very successful
scar treatment, especially of burn scars, is pointed out and illustrated with
photographs.
P. Kokoschinegg (1983) reports further on scar treatment using magnetic foils.
Here, too, the definite improvement of scar quality could be achieved and pain
in the affected areas could be alleviated.
Moreover, by using permanent magnets in animal experiments, the healing process
of nerve endings reconnected without sutures was definitely improved (Muhlbauer,
1974). Axons grown together under the influence of the magnetic field showed
parallel alignments of fibres without signs of altered growth in the area of the
incision. After three months, the anastomoses were almost invisible.
The remarkably improved wound healing and scar formation fields healed without
significant scar formation achieved by placing permanent magnets in the wound
area, as mentioned by Kokoschinegg (1981, 1983) and Muhlbauer (1974) referred
to previously, resulted in this case through the influence of static magnetic
fields.
Furthermore, it is reported by W. Muhlbauer (1974) - as well as by Kraus (1984)
- of clinical studies, carried out in collaboration with Kraus and Lang, on the
influence of low frequency alternating magnetic fields in the healing process
of large wound areas caused by burns and acid burns.
Here the wound surfaces - as also indicated by Kraus (1984) - were generally deep
second degree burns, with a poor tendency to spontaneous healing. They were treated
6 hours daily with magnetic fields from approximately 1.6 x 10' A/m to approximately
8 X 103 A /in.
In Almost all cases, a faster epithelialization was established (after 3 to 4
weeks) with better subsequent scar formation fields healed without significant
scar formation characterized by a high degree of vascularization, higher elasticity
and increased mechanical resistance, in contrast to similar wound areas not treated
with magnetic fields. Complicated wounds and trophic ulcers which before resisted
all types of therapy could heal with a stable scar tissue formation when alternating
magnetic fields were applied for 4 to 8 weeks.
More recent studies made by Ieran et al. (1990) and Stiller et al. (1992) show
that magnetic field treatment significantly favors the healing of skin ulcers
of venous origin in humans.
Ieran et al. (1990) reported on a study with 44 patients., where half of them
were exposed to active stimulators (experimental group) and the remaining to dummy
stimulators (placebo group). The stimulator used here generated a magnetic field
of approx. 2.2 x 10 3 A/m at impulse frequency of 75 Hz vith an impulse width
of 1.3 ms. The treatment was scheduled to last a maximum of 90 days. The success
rate was significantly higher in the experimental group: 66.6% were healed vs.
31% in the placebo group. Furthermore no ulcers worsened in the experimental group
and only 25% of which experienced recurrence of the ulcer. Whereas four worsened
in the placebo group and 50% experienced recurrence of the ulcer.
Magnetic Wound Treatment
Conclusion
Local application of magnetic fields can considerably increase peripheral blood
perfusion as indicated by an increase of temperature in the treated area, which
is a sign of local increase in the oxidation process. This is a result of the
higher availability of oxygen in the tissues, caused by the tendency of oxygenated
erythrocytes, having a higher magnetic energy than in deoxygenated state, to release
oxygen when a magnetic field is applied. Better oxygen supply means better energy
supply, so that a positive influence on the wound healing process can be expected
when using magnetic field.
The fields to be applied are relatively low, so that they can easily be technically
realised. Most effective are pulsed fields with extremely low frequencies. Magnetic
field treatment can be expected to be most effective on wounds where oxygen and
energy supply are critical, as in the case of ulcers.
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