Radiofrequency preserves histoarchitecture and enhances collagen synthesis in experimental tendon injury

Abstract

We investigated the action of radiofrequency (RF) on the healing process after inducing experimental lesions of the Achilles tendon in rats. Wistar rats were surgically subjected to bilateral partial transverse sectioning of the Achilles tendon. The right tendon was treated with radiofrequency (RFT), whereas the left tendon served as a control (CT). On the third postoperative day, the rats were divided into three experimental groups consisting of ten rats each, which were treated with monopolar radiofrequency (Tonederm™) until they were sacrificed on the 7th, 14th or 28th days. The histological specimens were studied for inflammatory cell content, collagen types I and III, immunostaining and morphometry. Total collagen were biochemically analyzed and to evalute fibroblast and myofibroblast proliferation by vimentin and α-actin smooth muscle immunohistochemistry methods. Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's ttest, the sign test and the Kruskal-Wallis test to compare tendons treated with radiofrequency with the non-treated tendons (α=5%; α=10%). Larger amounts of collagen I with hydroxyproline content and myofibroblast cells were clearly evident within 7 days (p<0.05). No difference was observed in the inflammatory cell content between the groups. We found better collagen arrangement with RF administration across the entire time studied. Radiofrequency administration preserves histoarchitecture and enhances collagen synthesis during the initial phases of cicatrization, suggesting that the treatment can provide improved stiffness during the most vulnerable phases of tendon healing. Clinical studies may include RF among the therapeutic tools in tendinous lesion management.