Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMFs) are considered to be a safe and non-invasive way to effectively treat numerous musculoskeletal disorders, such as delayed union or nonunion fractures, osteoarthritis (OA), osteoporosis (OP), osteonecrosis (ON), tendon disorders, etc. The PEMF exposure system generally consisted of a PEMF signal generator and a coil assembly with two‐coil array. The pair of coils generate magnetic field and electric field. The area between the coils is the position of the body for the person undergoing PEMF therapy. The frequency, intensity, and pulse forms are three of most crucial parameters. The frequency of electromagnetic fields used in clinical treatment is usually less than 100 Hz and the magnetic flux density is between 0.1 m T and 30 m T. All PEMF therapy devices utilize one or more of waveforms or a combination of them (such as sine square waves, triangle waves and sawtooth waves, etc.), in order to transfer the pulsed electromagnetic energy into the body. In addition, the duration of PEMF treatment is another essential factor should be taken into consideration because it is closely related to the therapeutic efficacy.

Increasing evidence suggests that an exogenous electromagnetic field might be involved in many biologic processes which are of great importance for therapeutic interventions. Pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) are known to be a noninvasive, safe and effective therapy agent without apparent side effects. Numerous studies have shown that PEMFs possess the potential to become a stand-alone or adjunctive treatment modality for treating musculoskeletal disorders. However, several issues remain unresolved. Prior to their widely clinical application, further researches from well-designed, high-quality studies are still required to standardize the treatment parameters and derive the optimal protocol for health-care decision making. In this review, we aim to provide current evidence on the mechanism of action, clinical applications, and controversies of PEMFs in musculoskeletal disorders.