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Effects of different levels of direct current on early ligament healing in a rat model
Author(s) -
Litke Diane S.,
Dahners Laurence E.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.1100120511
Subject(s) - medial collateral ligament , medicine , ligament , stimulation , tendon , anatomy , surgery
Electrical stimulation has been shown to enhance the repair of biological tissues such as bone and tendon. The objective of this study was to determine whether low level direct current enhances the early healing of injured medial collateral ligaments. Eighty‐seven rats were divided into three groups on the basis of the level of current delivered. All underwent transection of the medial collateral ligament bilaterally. The experimental medial collateral ligaments received current (which varied by group), while the contralateral medial collateral ligaments (the controls), with identical electrodes, received no current. After 12 days, each ligament was tested biomechanically with use of a hydraulic materials testing machine. Group 1 (8.6 ± 5.9 μA) showed statistically significant improvements in maximum rupture force, energy absorbed, stiffness, and laxity. The groups that had received lower levels of current did not show significant improvements. In this study, stimulation of 1–20 μA was the most effective level of direct current for the enhancement of early healing of the medial collateral ligament.