title: Short-term effects of radiofrequency shrinkage treatment for anterior cruciate ligament relaxation on proprioception.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Radiofrequency (RF) shrinkage is used in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The present study investigated the therapeutic effects of RF on ACL relaxation and the probable influencing factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with ACL relaxation were included. Participants were randomly divided into two groups: a treatment group, in which patients were treated with RF shrinkage (RF group); a control group, in which patients received conventional surgical treatment. Thermal shrinkage was performed on ACL using an ArthroCare® CAPSure® wand. Lysholm scores, proprioceptive testing and Tegner activity scores were evaluated before and after treatment (at 6 and 12 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 38 patients were included. The mean ± SD Lysholm score of those in the RF group at 12 months' post-treatment was significantly higher than in controls. The angle of deviation of the knee joint in RF group was significantly larger than in the control group at 6 months' post-treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RF shrinkage treatment for ACL laxity could improve knee scores, and may affect proprioception and recovery of activity after surgery.
authors: Department of Orthopaedics, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China.
authors: Min
authors: M
authors: Wei
authors: Yujie
authors: Y
authors: Liu
authors: Zhongli
authors: Z
authors: Li
authors: Zhigang
authors: Z
authors: Wang
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D001182:Arthroscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011434:Proprioception / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D061208:Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment / Q000379:methods; D000078702:Radiofrequency Therapy; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: ACL; Radiofrequency; anterior cruciate ligament; laxity; proprioception; shrinkage