Randomized, prospective, and controlled clinical trial of pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation for cervical fusion

323 patients with compressed cervical nerve root and symptomatic radiculopathy, scheduled for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) by the Smith-Robinson technique, were randomized to receive a pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation or none after the surgery. PEMF stimulation led to significantly better fusion rates at 6 months after ACDF surgery with an allograft and an anterior cervical plate. Even at 12 months postoperatively, the fusion rates were higher with PEMF stimulation over controls, but this difference was not statistically significant. There were no differences in the incidence of adverse events in the two groups.