Medicine: Electric Healing

Batteries for bone breaks

When Emanuel Brachfield's broken tibia failed to heal after six months in a cast and several operations, even his doctors began to worry. Reason: if fractured bones do not knit, the affected limb may eventually have to be amputated. Brachfield, 70, a retired New York City office worker, had heard from his physician that doctors at Manhattan's Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center were experimenting with a treatment that uses electricity to mend broken bones. He tried it. After eight weeks of electrotherapy, Brachfield has shed cast and crutches and is walking...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!