Promotion of medial collateral ligament healing using a high-voltage electrical field

MM Ito
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan

K Murase
Nishikasai-South Gait Orthopaedic Clinic, Tokyo, Japan

S Tanaka
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan

T Matsushita
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Teikyo University, Tokyo, Japan

PURPOSE. To assess the biomechanical and histological effects of a high-voltage electrical field on ligament healing.

METHODS. 54 male Wistar rats were used. The medial collateral ligaments (MCLs) of 6 rats were measured for normal biomechanical failure load and stiffness. MCLs of the remaining 48 rats were transected and randomly assigned; half were subjected to a high-voltage electrical field for 8 hours a day (experimental group), and the other half were kept under normal conditions (control group). Eight rats from each group were killed 2, 4, and 6 weeks after the transection and their MCLs were tested biomechanically and histologically.

RESULTS. Failure load and stiffness of the MCLs in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group 2 weeks after transection, but not thereafter. At week 2, the granulation tissue completely occupied the space between the cut ends of the MCL in the experimental group, whereas some gaps remained in the control group.

CONCLUSION. A high-voltage electrical field appear to accelerate ligament healing in the initial 2 weeks. Earlier initial healing may allow earlier start of the rehabilitation.