Purpose:
Histologically evaluate the effects of low frequency electrical stimulation
in the treatment of Achilles tendon injuries in rats.
Methods:
Thirty-four rats underwent Achilles tendon tenotomy and tenorrhaphy. They
were randomly allocated in two groups. Half of the sample constituted the
experiment group, whose lesions were stimulated with 2 Hz, nonpolarized
current and 1 mA, for 14 days. The other animals formed the control group.
They were evaluated at 2, 4 and 6 weeks. The histological study was carried
out, the collagen density and the wound maturity index were measured.
Results:
The healing score was higher in the group stimulated at the 6th week (p =
0.018). The density collagen 1 was higher in the group treated at the three
times (p = 0.004) and that collagen 3 was higher in the group treated at 6
weeks (p = 0.004). Together, collagen 1 and 3 were higher in the group
stimulated at 4 and 6 weeks (p = 0.009, p = 0.004). The maturity index was
higher in this group at the three moments (p = 0.017 p = 0.004 and p =
0.009).
Conclusion:
Low frequency electric stimulation improved healing and increased the
quantity of collagen.
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