Comparison of radiofrequency treatment and mechanical debridement of fibrillated cartilage in an equine model.
OBJECTIVE
To compare a radiofrequency energy (RFE) prototype probe to mechanical debridement (MD) and a commercially available RFE system used for chondroplasty in the treatment of an experimentally created partial thickness cartilage lesion in horses. The study design was experimental, randomized complete block, n=8, using fifteen mature ponies.


METHODS
Grade 2 to 3 cartilage lesions were prepared in both patellae. After 10 months duration, the injuries were used to study the effects of MD, a commercially available bipolar RFE device (CoVac 50; ArthroCare Corporation) and a prototype monopolar RFE device (Smith & Nephew Endoscopy). Six months after treatment the patellae were examined for chondrocyte viability and cartilage structure.


RESULTS
Mean depth of cell death was significantly different among groups (controls, MD <prototype<CoVac 50) (P<0.05). Total histologic scores did not demonstrate any significant differences among the controls, MD and prototype RFE groups, which were all better than the CoVac 50 scores (P<0.05). There was a trend for the prototype RFE probe treated regions to have better surface structural characteristics than MD (P=0.11). Cartilage thickness was greater for the prototype RFE group than all other groups, and was the thinnest for the CoVac 50 group (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
When thermal chondroplasty is performed with a power-controlled prototype RFE probe, there is a better surface smoothing effect compared to MD, which causes less chondrocyte death and has the potential to maintain thicker cartilage compared to the commercially available RFE system.
Edwards
R B
RB
Fairfield Equine Associates, Newtown, Connecticut, USA.
Lu
Y
Y
Cole
B J
BJ
Muir
P
P
Markel
M D
MD
D000818:Animals; D001182:Arthroscopy / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D002357:Cartilage Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D046789:Chondromalacia Patellae / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D003646:Debridement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006736:Horses; D011846:Radio Waves; D011897:Random Allocation; D016896:Treatment Outcome