Histological study of tendon healing in malnourished Wistar rats treated with ultrasound therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of therapeutic ultrasound on the healing of tendon injuries in malnourished rats.


METHODS
After the intended nutritional states had been attained, the animals (N=36) were distributed into three groups, named: G1(N=12), control group; G2(N=12), malnourished rats treated with 3 MHz ultrasound at an intensity of 0.5 W/cm(2); and G3 (N=12), normal animals treated with 3 MHz at 0.5 W/cm(2). The injuries were induced by means of an operation to expose the heel tendon and crush it using Allis forceps.


RESULTS
The data obtained relating to leukocyte counts, fibroblasts, vessel neoformation, fibrosis and collagen were subjected to statistical treatment using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t test. Results of p < 0.05 were obtained for fibrosis and collagen.


CONCLUSIONS
The ultrasound was shown to be effective in repairing the tendon, even in malnourished animals whose healing process was retarded.
Carvalho
Paulo de Tarso Camillo de
Pde T
Department of Physiotherapy, UNIDERP, Brazil. ptpaulo@terra.com.br
Silva
Iandara Schettert
IS
Reis
Filipe Abdalla dos
FA
Belchior
Ana Carulina Guimarães
AC
Aydos
Ricardo Dutra
RD
Facco
Gilberto Gonçalves
GG
Dourado
Doroty Mesquita
DM
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*