Effect of 900MHz electromagnetic fields emitted from cellular phones on fracture healing: an experimental study on rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) at 900 MHz frequencies on bone fracture healing. The study included 30 adult male Wistar albino rats (average weight: 256 g) divided into two equal groups. Transverse fracture was created manually by pressing a finger on the right tibias of all rats and fractures were fixed intramedullary using a K-wire. Rats in Group 1 were exposed to EMF at 900 MHz frequency 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Group 2, the control group, was kept under the same experimental conditions without EMF exposure. Radiological, mechanical and histological examination of tibial fracture healing was performed. There was a significant difference between radiological, histological and manual biomechanical scores of the study and control groups (p=0.020, p=0.006 and p=0.032, respectively). All scores were lower in the study group than the control group. Results of this study demonstrate that EMF at 900 MHz of frequency emitted from cellular phones has a significantly negative effect on bone fracture healing in a rat tibia model.