Use of Pulsing Electromagnetic Fields for the Treatment of Pelvic Stress Fractures Among Female Soldiers.

Similar diagnostic criteria are used for pelvic stress fractures and musculoskeletal pelvic pain. Differential diagnosis is made with a three phase bone scan. Of fifty-four sequential female soldiers having the symptoms of pelvic area stress fractures, seven had positive bone scans. Subjects were stratified by stress fracture or musculoskeletal pain then randomized into placebo or real treatment groups. Treatment was exposure to pulsing electromagnetic fields five days per week until resolution of the problem according to pain ratings, bone scans, and return to duty. Only twelve subjects accepted treatment because it was impossible for most to do their jobs and come to the hospital every weekday for months. Seven subjects dropped out for the same reason. Thus, although both patients with stress fractures receiving a significant number of treatments improved and the three who only received a few treatments did not, the randomized portion of the study never completed a meaningful number of subjects. None of the subjects with musculoskeletal pain nor those receiving placebo treatment improved. The results indicate that pelvic stress fractures are being over-diagnosed. It is recommended that bone scans be given to soldiers meeting the diagnostic criteria early in the diagnostictreatment process to avoid lengthy treatments for the wrong problem.