Radiofrequency promotes more collagen synthesis than low level laser in experimental tendineous lesion (914.4)

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tendon injuries are common consequences of sports trauma and costly in terms of surgery and rehabilitation. Several therapeutic approaches have been employed to repair the tendon fibrilar matrix and restore its function. We compared the action of Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and Radiofrequency (RF) after experimental lesions in rats.METHODS: Sixty adult male Wistar rats weighing 250 to 300 g were submitted to bilateral partial transverse section of the calcaneous tendon. On the third postoperative day, the rats were divided into three experimental groups consisting of ten rats each which the right tendon were treated with LLLT (Konf, Aculas ‐ HB 750) and other three treated with monopolar RF (Tonederm™). The rats were sacrificed on the 7th, 14th and 28th days. The total amount of collagen synthesized was assessed through 4‐hidroxyprolin content. The left tendon served as control in all groups.RESULTS: Collagen content in the lesions did not change at the end of the first four weeks of treatment irrespective of the method employed, even compared to controls. However RF was more effective to promote collagen synthesis than LLLT and controls after 7 (p< 0.0001) and 14 days (p < 0.05).CONCLUSION: RF increases collagen production in the first two weeks of treatment whereas LLLT does not. Further evaluation to ascertain the importance of this fact in the healing process in experimental tendon lesions is needed.