Effect of radiofrequency microtenotomy on degeneration of tendons: An experimental study on rabbits

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 500 ms to an area within 2 cm proximal to the insertion site at 0.5 cm 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.