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Radiofrequency preserves tendinous stiffness after experimental injury
Author(s) -
Akamatsu Flávia Emi,
Teodoro Walcy Paganelli Rosolia,
Saleh Samir Omar,
Martinez Carlos Augusto Real,
Ribeiro Marcelo Lima,
Andrade Mauro,
Jacomo Alfredo Luiz
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.27.1_supplement.749.1
Subject(s) - tendon , medicine , lesion , immunohistochemistry , pathology , anatomy , surgery
BACKGROUND Calcaneous tendon injuries are commonly seen as consequences of sports trauma. Ideal management should provide rapid healing so early mobilization can avoid tissue adhesions. Radiofrequency (RF) produces heat by molecular friction caused by polarity changes and its therapeutic use aims reduction of the local inflammatory response. We investigated the action of the RF on the calcaneous tendon healing process after experimental lesions in rats. METHODS AND MATERIAL Thirty adult male Wistar rats weighing 250 to 300 g were surgically submitted to bilateral partial transverse section of the calcaneous tendon. The right tendon was treated with RF whereas the left tendon served as control. On the third postoperative day, the rats were divided into three experimental groups consisting of ten rats each which were treated with monopolar RF (Tonederm™) adjusted to 650 kHz and 1–2w, for two minutes twice a week, until they were sacrificed on the 7 th , 14 th and 28 th days, respectively. We studied collagen I gene expression and immunofluorescent staining to evaluate collagen Type I and III. RESULTS A larger amount of collagen I without correspondent collagen I gene expression was observed within 7 days. CONCLUSION RF treatment preserves stiffness and accelerates the healing process of the calcaneous tendon and may be a useful tool in tendinous lesion management.