Tensiometric evaluation of the effect of lowfrequency electric stimulation on healing Achilles tendons in rats

• Autor(a) principal: Casagrande,Sharbo Martins
• Data de Publicação: 2020
• Outros Autores: Biondo-Simões,Maria de Lourdes Pessole, Berti,Lucas Freitas, Robes,Rogério Ribeiro, Biondo-Simões,Rachel, Nakadomari,Thaísa Sami, Henning Junior,Lucélio
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Acta Cirúrgica Brasileira (Online)
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0102-86502020001100202
• topic: Electric Stimulation; Achilles Tendon; Wound Healing; Biomechanical Phenomena; Rats

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the effects of low-frequency electric stimulation on biomechanics following surgical treatment of the Achilles tendon in rats. Methods: Forty-two rats were divided into two groups. One was given electric stimulation and the other was not. All were submitted to Achilles tenotomy and tenorrhaphy performed with a modified Kessler stitch. The experiment group underwent electric stimulation with 2 Hz, a nonpolarized current of 1 mA intensity for 14 days. The animals were euthanized at 2, 4 and 6 weeks for the biomechanical study. Results: The work performed, that is, the tendon’s capacity to absorb energy until rupture, was greater in the electrically stimulated group in the 2nd (p = 0.032) and in the 6th week (p = 0.010). The maximum tension, which is the capacity to support a load, was higher in the treated group in the 2nd (p = 0.030) and the 6th week (p = 024). These results indicate greater resistance of the electrically stimulated tendons. An analysis of the elastic module showed no differences. Conclusion: Low-frequency electric stimulation increased the resistance of the tendons at 2 and 6 weeks of evolution in rats.