title: Radiofrequency stimulation for potential healing of meniscal injuries in the avascular zone.
abstract: We conducted this study to evaluate the effect of radiofrequency (RF) stimulation with suture repair on the healing of tears in the meniscal white-white zone. Fifty-four New Zealand white rabbits underwent surgically induced meniscal injuries within the white-white region. RF was applied using a 0.8-mm TOPAZ MicroDebrider RF wand (ArthroCare) at level 4 for 500 milliseconds. Rabbits were sacrificed at 28 and 84 days for gross and histologic analysis by 3 blinded observers and at 9, 28, and 84 days for biochemical examination. Biochemical analyses included evaluation of cell proliferation (3H-thymidine), as well as mitogenic (IGF-1, bFGF) and angiogenic (VEGF, αV) factors. Of specimens repaired with RF combined with suture, 19 (58%) showed a degree of gross morphologic and histologic healing. No significant healing was seen in specimens with either no repair or repair with suture alone. We observed a 40% increase in cellular proliferation when RF supplementation was used (P<.05). With regards to mitogenic and angiogenic markers (IGF-1, bFGF, VEGF, and αV), there was a significant increase in groups treated with RF at 9 and 28 days (P>0.05). RF supplementation of avascular zone meniscal repairs may lead to an increased healing response.
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Tasto
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Healey
authors.forename: Sakae
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sano
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA. fshepherd@ucsd.edu.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Amiel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D008297:Male; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000098:blood supply / Q000503:physiopathology; D061208:Pulsed Radiofrequency Treatment; D011817:Rabbits; D000070600:Tibial Meniscus Injuries; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000528:radiation effects