title: The effect of radiofrequency energy on nonweight-bearing areas of bone following shoulder and knee arthroscopy.
abstract: This prospective randomized clinical trial evaluated whether the use of radiofrequency energy (RFE) devices for soft-tissue ablation and coagulation cause thermal injury to bone. Fifty patients underwent one of three treatment modalities: electrocautery, monopolar RFE, or bipolar RFE. Preoperative and postoperative magnetic resonance imaging was compared to evaluate for evidence of osteonecrosis. Postoperative MRI of all patients did not reveal any osteonecrosis or subchondral edema. These findings indicate electrocautery, monopolar RFE, and bipolar RFE devices can be used safely for soft-tissue blation and hemostasis.
authors.affiliation: Section of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Rush Medical College of Rush University, Rush-Presbyterian St Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Shane J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Nho
authors.forename: Kevin B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Freedman
authors.forename: Shanti L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Bansal
authors.forename: Anthony A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Romeo
authors.forename: Bernard R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Bach
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bush-Joseph
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Brian J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Cole
mesh_terms: D000174:Acromion / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D001182:Arthroscopy; D001855:Bone Marrow Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D002056:Burns / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002061:Bursa, Synovial / Q000601:surgery*; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000601:surgery; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004487:Edema / Q000175:diagnosis; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000175:diagnosis; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010020:Osteonecrosis / Q000175:diagnosis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000601:surgery*