Effect of radiofrequency microtenotomy on degeneration of tendons: an experimental study on rabbits.
BACKGROUND
Radiofrequency microtenotomy is used to enhance healing by increasing vascularity in the degenerated tendon. In the present study, the effect of radiofrequency microtenotomy (Rf-mt) treatment on tendon degeneration was investigated.


METHODS
A total of 32 New Zealand rabbits were enrolled in the current study. Experimental degeneration was performed by injecting prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) into the bilateral Achilles tendons of rabbits. After excluding 4 rabbits with an infection on the injection site, 4 other rabbits were sacrificed to define the histopathologic changes in the tendons. The remaining 24 rabbits were divided into 2 groups: the control group and the Rf-mt group. In the control group, the Rf-mt device was only applied to the Achilles tendon without running the device. In the Rf-mt group, the Rf-mt device was applied bilaterally at the fourth energy level for 500ms to an area within 2cm proximal to the insertion site at 0.5cm intervals in order to form a grid. Six rabbits from each group were sacrificed at 6 and 12 weeks. The Achilles tendons were evaluated histopathologically by a modified Movin scale and by immunohistopathologic staining for vascular endothelial growth factor and type 4 collagen.


RESULTS
After the PGE1 injection, findings similar to chronic degenerative tendinopathy were observed. The Rf-mt group showed significant improvement in vascularity in the histopathological and immunohistochemical examination (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in healing between the control and Rf-mt groups (P>0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Rf-mt treatment increases vascularity in degenerated tendons but does not create difference to facilitate the healing process comparing control group.
Gaziosmanpasa University School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Tokat, Turkey. Electronic address: drtgunes@gmail.com.
Taner
T
Gunes
Gaziosmanpasa University School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Tokat, Turkey.
Erkal
E
Bilgic
Sakarya University School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Sakarya, Turkey.
Mehmet
M
Erdem
Gaziosmanpasa University School of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Tokat, Turkey.
Bora
B
Bostan
Gaziosmanpasa University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, Tokat, Turkey.
Resit Dogan
RD
Koseoglu
Erbaa State Hospital, Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Erbaa, Tokat, Turkey.
Seyyid Ahmet
SA
Sahin
Istanbul University, Istanbul Medical School, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Istanbul, Turkey.
Cengiz
C
Sen
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D052256:Tendinopathy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D058971:Tenotomy / Q000379:methods*; D014945:Wound Healing
Degeneration; Microtenotomy; Radiofrequency; Tendon