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Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society2006; 24(4); 716-724; doi: 10.1002/jor.20108

In vivo study on the short-term effect of radiofrequency energy on chondromalacic patellar cartilage and its correlation with calcified cartilage pathology in an equine model.

Abstract: Chondromalacia can cause joint pain and synovial effusion with the potential for developing into osteoarthritis. Thermal chondroplasty using radiofrequency energy (RFE) has been reported to be superior to mechanical debridement for treating chondromalacia. We compared short-term changes in biomechanical properties of articular cartilage after treatment with monopolar (mRFE) or bipolar RFE (bRFE) or mechanical debridement (MD) on experimentally created grade II chondromalacia patellae. Chondromalacia patellae was created arthroscopically in both patellae of 15 ponies. Ten months after surgery, each patella was randomly assigned to one of four experimental groups: sham operated, untreated control; MD; bRFE; and mRFE. Animals were euthanized 6 months after treatment and fresh osteochondral sections were collected from the treated area, the border of the chondromalacic and nonchondromalacic area, and from two untreated areas for analysis of mechanical properties. The same areas were harvested from an additional six untreated ponies. The aggregate modulus (H(A)), Poisson's ratio (nu(s)), and permeability (k) were determined for each area under creep indentation, and cartilage thickness was measured with a needle probe. The relation between zone of calcified cartilage (ZCC) and mechanical properties of hyaline cartilage (HC) was assessed histomorphometrically. Treated areas of all four groups had inferior mechanical properties compared at the same location. The treated and border areas had significantly lower H(A) values than the untreated areas. Permeability values showed significant differences between bRFE and other treated groups. Chondromalacic areas showed thinning of cartilage compared to nonchondromalacic areas. Biomechanical properties of the injured cartilage were inferior to nonchondromalacic cartilage regardless of the treatment type. mRFE had the highest stiffness value compared to other treatments and significantly higher values than MD. A significant correlation was observed between the mechanical properties of HC and ZCC thickness.
Copyright 2006 Orthopaedic Research Society
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Publication Date: 2006-03-04 PubMed ID: 16514662DOI: 10.1002/jor.20108Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the short-term effects of radiofrequency energy on degraded knee cartilage, specifically chondromalacia patellae, in ponies, comparing different radiofrequency and mechanical treatments. The study found that all treatments yielded inferior biomechanical properties compared to untreated areas and a significant correlation between the mechanical properties of hyaline cartilage and zone of calcified cartilage thickness.

Study Design and Methodology

  • The study involved creating grade II chondromalacia patellae in 15 ponies, done arthroscopically for both patellae.
  • After ten months, for each patella, treatment was randomly assigned from four experimental categories: monopolar radiofrequency energy (mRFE), bipolar RFE (bRFE), mechanical debridement, and untreated control.
  • Post six months of treatment, osteochondral sections were collected for analysis of their mechanical properties, namely the aggregate modulus, Poisson’s ratio, and permeability. Cartilage thickness was also measured.
  • The same process was performed with an additional six untreated ponies for comparison.
  • Finally, the relation between the mechanical properties of hyaline cartilage and the zone of calcified cartilage was assessed.

Key Findings

  • All treated areas showed inferior biomechanical properties compared to the untreated areas. The treated and border areas demonstrated significantly lower aggregate modulus values than the untreated areas.
  • Permeability values revealed significant differences between the bRFE group and the other treated groups.
  • Chondromalacic areas showed significant thinning of cartilage compared to non-chondromalacic areas.
  • Biomechanical attributes of the injured cartilage were inferior to non-chondromalacic cartilage, regardless of the treatment type.
  • mRFE produced the highest stiffness value among the treatments, significantly higher than mechanical debridement.
  • A significant correlation was noted between the mechanical properties of hyaline cartilage and the thickness of the zone of calcified cartilage.

Implications of Findings

  • The results suggest that while radiofrequency energy may aid in the treatment of chondromalacia patellae, it may not restore the biomechanical properties of the cartilage to their pre-injury state.
  • However, among the treatments, mRFE showed a slight advantage with the highest stiffness value, indicating potential preferability for treating chondromalacia patellae.
  • The significant correlation between the mechanical properties of hyaline cartilage and zone of calcified cartilage thickness suggests a potential role of calcified cartilage pathology in chondromalacia progression.

Cite This Article

APA
Uthamanthil RK, Edwards RB, Lu Y, Manley PA, Athanasiou KA, Markel MD. (2006). In vivo study on the short-term effect of radiofrequency energy on chondromalacic patellar cartilage and its correlation with calcified cartilage pathology in an equine model. J Orthop Res, 24(4), 716-724. https://doi.org/10.1002/jor.20108

Publication

Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society
ISSN: 0736-0266
NlmUniqueID: 8404726
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 24
Issue: 4
Pages: 716-724

Researcher Affiliations

Uthamanthil, Rajesh K
  • Department of Medical Sciences, Comparative Orthopedic Research Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2015 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
Edwards, Ryland B
    Lu, Yan
      Manley, Paul A
        Athanasiou, Kyriacos A
          Markel, Mark D

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Biomechanical Phenomena
            • Calcinosis / pathology
            • Cartilage, Articular / pathology
            • Chondromalacia Patellae / pathology
            • Chondromalacia Patellae / physiopathology
            • Chondromalacia Patellae / radiotherapy
            • Collagen / analysis
            • Disease Models, Animal
            • Horses
            • Patella / physiopathology
            • Permeability
            • Radiofrequency Therapy

            Citations

            This article has been cited 14 times.
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