Pulsed magnetic field therapy increases tensile strength in a rat Achilles' tendon repair model.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of pulsing electromagnetic fields on the biomechanic strength of rat Achilles' tendons at 3 weeks after transection and repair.


METHODS
This noninvasive modality was tested in a prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the effect of a specific noninvasive radiofrequency pulsed electromagnetic field signal on tendon tensile strength at 21 days post transection in a rat model.


RESULTS
In the animals receiving PMF exposure, an increase in tensile strength of up to 69% was noted at the repair site of the rat Achilles' tendon at 3 weeks after transection and repair compared with nonstimulated control animals.


CONCLUSIONS
The application of electromagnetic fields, configured to enhance Ca(2+) binding in the growth factor cascades involved in tissue healing, achieved a marked increase of tensile strength at the repair site in this animal model. If similar effects occur in humans, rehabilitation could begin earlier and the risk of developing adhesions or rupturing the tendon in the early postoperative period could be reduced.
Strauch
Berish
B
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY 10461, USA. bstrauch@montefiore.org
Patel
Mitesh K
MK
Rosen
Daniel J
DJ
Mahadevia
Soham
S
Brindzei
Nelia
N
Pilla
Arthur A
AA
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology