Portable bone healing system gets FDA nod

Despite having an air of pseudo-science about it, ultrasonic bone stimulation is actually a legitimate non-invasive therapy that's been clinically proven to heal certain types of fractures; and now, thanks to a recent FDA approval, this technology once reserved for fancy hospitals and doctors offices will soon be available for accident-prone individuals to treat themselves right at home. Specifically, the agency just gave the thumbs up to Smith & Nephew's Exogen 4000+ Bone Healing System, which is a portable device designed to stimulate growth in specific fresh fractures along with older ones that have not responded to traditional treatments. Twenty minutes a day is all it takes for a patient to speed up the healing of new fractures by up to 38% or give themselves an 83% chance of successful recovery from those hard-to-heal injuries. Before this new device convinces you to change careers and go all Evel Knievel, though, keep in mind that it's no miracle cure -- in order to completely toss aside concern for your personal safety, you'll have to wait around for those bone-repairing inkjet printers that we've been promised.

[Via MedGadget]

[Matt @ Jul 25th 2006 3:17PM]

Where was this when Nomar broke his wrist a few years ago?!?!?

[Eagle117 @ Jul 25th 2006 3:35PM]

Star Trek technology gets one step closer.

[m @ Jul 25th 2006 3:36PM]

this has been available as a home kit in europe for some time, and I know some people who have the older version of this kit here in the US.

cool stuff

[cckrobinson @ Jul 25th 2006 3:45PM]

I broke a sesamoid bone in my big toe 9 weeks ago, and it's only 30% healed. The doctor said that if it doesn't heal by 12 weeks then I'm eligible to try one of these. I guess they are really expensive and insurance doesn't like to pay for them (hopefully that will change). It's actually a pretty big technical break through. The older generation of bone stimulators required ~10 hours (yes hours) of stimulation per day to see any benefit. I'm not sure if this is the same device as my doctor mentioned, but he did say that it only required 20 minutes of stimulation per day.

[Cheryl @ Mar 10th 2008 10:59AM]

Cckrobinson - just wondered if you ever rec'd an approval fm. insurance for the bone stimulator and if so, was it difficult to get it to go through. Also, if you have used the stimulator, could you pls. share your results. I have also fracured one of the sesamoid bones in my big toe. I'm interested in pursuing this. The more you can share with me the better. I'd really appreciate it. Thank you. Cheryl

[Osiris @ Jul 25th 2006 4:22PM]

And what if you used it for more than 20minutes a day?

[someone @ Jul 25th 2006 5:15PM]

isn't a portable bone healing system already available? its called a CAST

[Ken @ Jul 25th 2006 5:30PM]

A cast isn't going to help heal squat. It just immobilizes. These devices simulate signals from the brain that promote healing. My friend had a dead bone in his wrist from that just wasn't healing for more than 5 months. After using this technology he had a full recovery.

[Matt @ Jul 25th 2006 5:55PM]

My brother-in-law was using something like that last summer to heal a broken arm that a bike messenger refractured by shoving him a week after the cast came off! At any rate, it seemed to work because he hasn't had any problems with the arm the second time around.

[Cat Doctor @ Jul 25th 2006 7:31PM]

They have portable bone healing systems already, otherwise known as cats. Seriously, the frequency of cats' purring has been shown to strengthen bone and promote growth. They've gone so far as to recommend cat therapy--petting a cat sitting on one's lap for some time each day--for the elderly who are in danger of breaking their hips. And, cats don't cost nearly as much as this device; in fact, they're free from the animal shelter.

[Pete @ Jul 25th 2006 7:32PM]

I'm gonna have to get this - I have some friends who *always* get injured when we play full contact football and other sports. Now we'll be invincible!

[mr.friggles @ Jul 25th 2006 11:46PM]

umm...can this be used to help STIMULATE bone (height) growth??

[LMA @ Jun 6th 2008 9:07PM]

Ultrasonic bone stimulation helps to close up fractures - it joins bone on bone - it doesn't add to or grow bone. As a matter of fact, in children, the use of ultrasound is avoided because it's been shown to close up the space between bone plates, thereby stunting growth. So this tool will NOT help you grow taller.

I just learned that this morning when my surgeon told me that she'd order one of these Exogen gadgets for me. I just had extensive work done to my right foot and she's concerned that my big toe may take some time to heal. She's had other patients use this therapy very successfully because it really does work.

[sherrie neri @ Jul 25th 2006 11:49PM]

I have a bone disease, that I have to have the bone in my hands removed and then reattach the blood vessels back in place and somehow my bone is supposed to grow back. Can someone please tell me if "keinbox" is something that can be helped with this device? Does it actually "grow" back bone replacement AFTER being totally removed?

[sherrie neri @ Jul 25th 2006 11:55PM]

Will it replace bone that will be removed in the hand? Keinbox disease means removal of the bone in the hand.

[Rollo @ Jul 26th 2006 10:05PM]

I was given an Exogen stimulator a few years back to deal with a broken scapula & the results were very impressive.

[Rollo @ Jul 26th 2006 10:21PM]

..scaphoid (carpal navicular) - not scapula. I was told (albeit by a salesman) that it simply stimulates blood flow in/around the bone which aids in healing.

if you use it more than 20 minutes a day (I asked the same question) it does actually help but the results diminish exponentially once you pass the 20min window. I went for the extra 1%. The carpal navicular receives its blood supply from a small vessel at one end of it so iirc it receives blood only half as often as most bones and hence takes longer to heal. I think I was told 10-14 weeks on the recovery and at 6 weeks it was fully healed. My doc refused to allow the cast to be removed until 8 weeks (& another xray) - he'd never seen the bone heal so quickly. Needless to say he is still a big fan. At the time the device was only covered by Aetna at the time of fracture. Most ins. co's covered it in the case of non-union or delayed union after a certain period of time.

[Lisa @ Mar 2nd 2007 9:23PM]

I had a bunionectomy performed and my doctor prescribed the Exogen Bone Healing system for me. Incidentally, my insurance covered all but $75 for me to have this tremendous technical gadget.
The first time I used it I kept thinking "this is a crock, I can't feel anything so how do I know if it actually works." Well I must say that It does work. It has sped up the healing process. I am impresse with the Exogen system and would recommend it to everyone.

[Eric @ Mar 5th 2007 8:03AM]

This device is one that I have used with great success with multiple injuries. My injury was three fractured metatarsals in the left foot. I had edema from walking on it for 6 months prior to someone finally recognizing it as a break. Due to my diabetes I have a slower then normal healing rate, particularly when it comes to bones. The Exogen in its function has the added benefit of reducing swelling and pain in the spot used. The drawback is that the unit only covers 3 square centimeters at a time so with multiple close fractures like mine, I was required to use it multiple times a day to cover all the breaks. Sure there may be a reduction of healing with additional times, though that is acceptable to me when it reduces the pain. I have also used this to help facilitate healing of bruised ribs and the sprained muscles around them, by focusing on the bundles of nerves of where the pain is worse. While in today’s society time is critical for everyone, and this requires time and commitment to use properly, I highly recommend this to anyone, as the Exogen works much better then any of my experiences using the magnetic field style of bone stimulators.

[Weirdal68 @ Aug 17th 2007 5:04PM]

I wonder if this gadget could increase bone density in osteoporosis patients?

[Dustin @ Aug 28th 2007 6:37PM]

I have just recived a Exogen bone healing system 4000+ i have read the information about it and ready to see if it will fix my knee. I was Shot through my knee they put the pieces of bone back together but the fractures are not growing back together so i am trying this. Can someone please tell me what the Exogen bone healing system 4000+ cost new?

[Heather @ Nov 6th 2007 4:43PM]

Just got mine and asked more information. Retail, these go for about $4500. Your cost depends on the contract they have with your insurance company.

[Dustin @ Nov 10th 2007 3:49PM]

Thank you so much for your help Heather I receved the bone healing systemi did not pay nothing for it and was courious how much it cost

[Heather @ Nov 6th 2007 12:58PM]

Dustin,

I'm not positive what the exact cost is new, but I can give you a ballpark. I get mine today for help in healing multiple fractures in my tibia from a motorcycle accident. My insurance company is paying for the bulk of it,leaving me with $460 out-of-pocket that is supposed to be around 20% of the total cost. If my calculations are correct, that would make the total cost about $2300.

[doug @ Dec 9th 2007 12:07AM]

I thought the literature from the company said this device was only recommended for ONLY 2 types of fractures,the radius and the tibia. You guys are using this device for every fracture imaginable. I need it for a fractured heel (calcaneus) but the manufacturer's website states only these 2 types of fractures.
Am I missing something???

[amanda @ Dec 9th 2007 10:08PM]

I fractured my fibula and it's just not healing as quick as they want it to so I was prescribed this machine about a week ago. The rep said I'd start to see some results in the first 2 weeks so it appears it's not just two types of fractures.

[Cindy Melgaard @ Feb 19th 2008 7:53AM]

I have had a subtalar operatation on october the 4th, I had a xray yesterday but it has not heeled will this machine help me, as I am in a lot of pain and need to have anouther operation. regards Cindy

[Shel @ Mar 17th 2008 2:24PM]

These devices are available on Craiglist and eBay for people whose insurance does not cover the cost.

[Ed @ Apr 2nd 2008 7:05PM]

I just received my Exogen system yesterday. Not sure about it yet. I broke my Scaphoid last Sledding season and rebroke it this season. I sure hope it helps.

Thanks for all your comments.

[broke @ Apr 11th 2008 11:25AM]

I Broke My fibula and Tibia both spiral fractures on Jan. 10 '08, and my doctor has prescribed this system. Ins. will only cover costs after a 3 month period of zero bone growth. Hopefully it works.

[Bandido Mustang @ Apr 22nd 2008 5:56PM]

My original bone break was two separate fractures on my my right wrist caused from a motorcycle accident more than a year ago. I was 64 at that time and the bones healed very poorly. A few weeks ago I broke the the same wrist again in a fight and this time my Doctor immediately recommended the Exogen. The young lady who came to my home to show me how to use the machine said the machine was mine to keep after my bones were healed.This is my second day using the machine and I'm very interested to see how it works. I'll report back after my first x-ray.

Best to all,

Bandido Mustang 1%ER