An electrical stimulation device is combined with a biologic to increase
osteogenesis (i.e., bone healing or bone formation). The electrical
stimulation is osteoblastic in that it produces new bone cells and or
increases the activity of the existing cells, either osteoblasts or
osteocytes. The preferred biologic decreases osteoclastic activity, which
is the remodeling of bone usually by destroying the bone. Thus,
osteogenesis is maximized by decreasing osteoclastic activity, while at
the same time increasing osteoblastic activity. Osteogenesis can also be
maximized by combining electrical stimulation with a BMP. Though BMPs are
generally considered to increase osteoblastic activity, certain BMPs may
have an additive effect to the use of electrical stimulation.