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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2009; 22(02): 103-112
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-08-02-0015
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Changes to articular cartilage following remote application of radiofrequency energy and with or without Cosequin therapy

C. L. Horstman
1   Departments of Clinical Sciences and Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi, USA
,
R. M. McLaughlin
1   Departments of Clinical Sciences and Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi, USA
,
S. H. Elder
2   Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi, USA
,
R. R. Pool Jr.
3   Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
,
R. R. Read
1   Departments of Clinical Sciences and Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi, USA
,
C. R. Boyle
1   Departments of Clinical Sciences and Basic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, Mississippi, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 08 February 2008

Accepted 02 March 2008

Publication Date:
17 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Objective: To determine the short- and long-term changes in the biomechanical properties and metabolic activity of articular cartilage following the remote application of bipolar radiofrequency (bRF) and monopolar radiofrequency (mRF) energy within the rabbit stifle joint.

Methods: The rabbits were randomly assigned to either Group-1 (normal rabbit food), or they were assigned to Group-2 (2% Cosequin® in the diet). Each rabbit underwent bilateral stifle arthroscopy with either bRF or mRF applied to the infrapatellar fat pad for 45 seconds. Cartilage samples were collected at zero, four, and 14 weeks after surgery. Data were analyzed with a mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA) for chondrocyte death, amount of GAG synthesis, and the equilibrium compressive modulus.

Results: A significant increase in histological damage was noted at weeks four and 14 compared to week zero. Most of the chondrocyte death noted with confocal laser microscopy (49 of 56 samples) was noted in the superficial region (outer 25%) of the articular cartilage. GAG synthesis was not significantly different between groups or devices at any time point. A significant difference was not noted in equilibrium compressive modulus throughout the study.

Conclusions: Remote application of bRF and mRF energy lead to immediate chondrocyte death. Most of the damage was superficial hence the metabolic activity and biomechanical properties of the extra-cellular matrix were maintained throughout this study. Treatment with Cosequin did not prevent superficial chondrocyte death caused by the application of radio-frequency (RF) energy with in the joint.

Keywords

Radiofrequency - arthroscopy - articular cartilage - Cosequin® - rabbits
 

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