Treatment of congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia with direct current stimulation.

Congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia presents surgeons with one of the most challenging of all orthopedic problems. The results of various forms of surgical treatment are rarely successful. This is a preliminary report on an implanted direct current bone growth stimulator (DCBGS) for treatment of congential pseudarthrosis of the tibia. The implanted stimulator achieved encouraging results in 6 patients when it was used in conjunction with cancellous bone grafting and efficient immobilization of the tibia. The leg requires long-term protection of the fracture site until skeletal maturity is complete.