[Influence upon the longitudinal growth of extremities by direct current in animal experiments (author's transl)].

Direct current under certain conditions will be show a positive effect on the longitudinal growth of long bones during growing-age. Examinations were made in 8 to 10 week old rabbits in a right to left attempt. The electrodes were implanted in the midshaft of tibia. The stimulation was performed by direct current of 20 and 30 microamperes. The quantitative evaluation of 12 oxytetracyclinelabled pairs of bone showed a statistically significant increase of longitudinal growth on the electrically treated side as compared with control. Possible reasons leading to bone growth by electrical stimulation are discussed.