Extremely Small-magnitude Accelerations Enhance Bone Regeneration: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

High-frequency, low-magnitude accelerations can be anabolic and anticatabolic to bone. We tested the hypothesis that application of these mechanical signals can accelerate bone regeneration in scaffolded and nonscaffolded calvarial defects. The cranium of experimental rats (n = 8) in which the 5-mm bilateral defects either contained a collagen scaffold or were left empty received oscillatory accelerations (45 Hz, 0.4 g) for 20 minutes per day for 3 weeks. Compared with scaffolded defects in the untreated control group (n = 6), defects with a scaffold and subject to oscillatory accelerations had a 265% greater fractional bone defect area 4 weeks after the surgery. After 8 weeks of healing (1-week recovery, 3 weeks of stimulation, 4 weeks without stimulation), the area (181%), volume (137%), and thickness (53%) of the regenerating tissue in the scaffolded defect were greater in experimental than in control animals. In unscaffolded defects, mechanical stimulation induced an 84% greater bone volume and a 33% greater thickness in the defect. These data provide preliminary evidence that extremely low-level, high-frequency accelerations can enhance osseous regenerative processes, particularly in the presence of a supporting scaffold.

High-frequency loading positively impacts titanium implant osseointegration in impaired bone

“…This is in accordance with literature findings on the protective effect of ALN not only in implant osseointegration, but also in bone regeneration settings such as fracture healing [40]. The anabolic effects of HF loading on bone and bone healing have been reported in several animal [16][17][18]42] and clinical trials [19,20]. It is well established that bone has the potential of sensing and responding to very small mechanical signals when applied at HF [43].…”

“…Previous in vivo studies have shown that well-controlled mechanical loading at low frequency can improve bone apposition onto the implant surface and bone formation and mineralization in the implant's vicinity [12][13][14][15]. The importance of using high-frequency (HF) mechanical loading, i.e., at a frequency beyond the physiological frequency (approx ∼3 Hz for mastication), is increasing because of the evidenced positive effect of HF loading on bone formation and fracture healing [16][17][18]. Furthermore, based on the clinical outcome of exercise studies [10,19,20], the advantages of using HF mechanical loading are considered to be safe and efficient.…”

“…This makes HF mechanical loading a powerful non-pharmacological intervention not only for the treatment or prevention of osteoporosis but also for fracture healing and beyond [1,19,20]. Numerous in vivo systems employing HF loading have been successfully used, such as whole body vibration (WBV) devices [16][17][18] and individual limb compressive loading setups [21,22]. WBV experiments have evidenced the advantageous effects of HF loading on bone [16][17][18] and on titanium implant osseointegration [23].…”

“…Numerous in vivo systems employing HF loading have been successfully used, such as whole body vibration (WBV) devices [16][17][18] and individual limb compressive loading setups [21,22]. WBV experiments have evidenced the advantageous effects of HF loading on bone [16][17][18] and on titanium implant osseointegration [23]. Ogawa and co-workers recently reported, by means of rat animal experiments and quantitative histology, that HF loading via WBV can promote peri-implant bone healing and enhance implant osseointegration [23,24].…”

High-frequency, low-intensity vibrations increase bone mass and muscle strength in upper limbs, improving autonomy in disabled children

“…The studies of Garman and colleagues (20) and Hwang and colleagues (21) showed that bone does not need to be loaded to be responsive to mechanical signals, and thus it may be that osteoblasts and their progenitors (mesenchymal stem cells) are sensitive to acceleration, thus facilitating application of the HFLMV signal. Our study supports these findings in a clinical setting.…”