ABSTRACT
Peripheral nerves are particularly sensitive to being crushed or transected by blunt trauma, especially those located just under the skin. Many different techniques to increase the rate of regeneration have been tested and adopted, involving at times chemical agents, growth factors, and electric or electromagnetic fields. Data obtained from in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that specific waveforms and current density delivered by pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) can enhance the rate of regeneration of injured peripheral nerves. The chapter determines the most effective way to use low-level electromagnetic fields to stimulate nerve regeneration in vitro, and applies this information to the in vivo situation. This in vitro model uses chick embryo sensory ganglia to test the effects of applied direct current (DC), PEMF, and SMFs on nerve regeneration using the criteria of regrowth of axonal processes (neurite outgrowth). The chapter focuses on nerve regeneration in crushed rat sciatic nerve using a 3G, 2Hz single pulse EMF.
