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Effect of radiofrequency microtenotomy on degeneration of tendons: an experimental study on rabbits.

Foot and ankle surgery : official journal of the European Society of Foot and Ankle Surgeons · 2014 · Mixed · Low evidence

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MixedLow evidencePaper 3128

After PGE1 injection, tendons showed changes consistent with chronic degenerative tendinopathy. The radiofrequency microtenotomy group had significantly improved vascularity on histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination (P<0.05), but there was no sig…

Study snapshot

PublicationFoot and ankle surgery : official journal of the European Society of Foot and Ankle Surgeons · 2014
Study typeanimal
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingLow

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: 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. MATERIALS AND 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.

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AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeanimal
Effect directionmixed
PopulationNew Zealand rabbits with experimentally induced Achilles tendon degeneration (PGE1 injection)
Sample size32
Exposure500 ms applications (grid within 2 cm proximal to insertion, 0.5 cm intervals); follow-up at 6 and 12 weeks
Evidence strengthLowConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

After PGE1 injection, tendons showed changes consistent with chronic degenerative tendinopathy. The radiofrequency microtenotomy group had significantly improved vascularity on histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in healing between control and radiofrequency microtenotomy groups (P>0.05).

Outcomes measured

  • Histopathologic tendon degeneration/healing (modified Movin scale)
  • Vascularity
  • VEGF immunostaining
  • Type IV collagen immunostaining

Limitations

  • Radiofrequency exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, power, SAR) not reported in abstract
  • Animal model with experimentally induced tendinopathy; generalizability to humans unclear
  • Control involved device application without running; blinding and randomization not described in abstract
  • Small group sizes at each time point (6 rabbits per group at 6 and 12 weeks)
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "animal",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "radiofrequency microtenotomy device",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": "500 ms applications (grid within 2 cm proximal to insertion, 0.5 cm intervals); follow-up at 6 and 12 weeks"
  },
  "population": "New Zealand rabbits with experimentally induced Achilles tendon degeneration (PGE1 injection)",
  "sample_size": 32,
  "outcomes": [
    "Histopathologic tendon degeneration/healing (modified Movin scale)",
    "Vascularity",
    "VEGF immunostaining",
    "Type IV collagen immunostaining"
  ],
  "main_findings": "After PGE1 injection, tendons showed changes consistent with chronic degenerative tendinopathy. The radiofrequency microtenotomy group had significantly improved vascularity on histopathologic and immunohistochemical examination (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in healing between control and radiofrequency microtenotomy groups (P>0.05).",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Radiofrequency exposure parameters (e.g., frequency, power, SAR) not reported in abstract",
    "Animal model with experimentally induced tendinopathy; generalizability to humans unclear",
    "Control involved device application without running; blinding and randomization not described in abstract",
    "Small group sizes at each time point (6 rabbits per group at 6 and 12 weeks)"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "low",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "radiofrequency microtenotomy",
    "Achilles tendon",
    "tendinopathy",
    "rabbit",
    "vascularity",
    "VEGF",
    "type IV collagen",
    "Movin scale"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.1016/j.fas.2013.11.003
PubMed: 24480503

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