Ds. Litke et Le. Dahners, EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT LEVELS OF DIRECT-CURRENT ON EARLY LIGAMENT HEALING IN A RAT MODEL, Journal of orthopaedic research, 12(5), 1994, pp. 683-688
Electrical stimulation has been shown to enhance the repair of biologi
cal tissues such as bane and tendon. The objective of this study was t
o determine whether low level direct current enhances the early healin
g of injured medial collateral ligaments. Eighty-seven rats were divid
ed into three groups on the basis of the level of current delivered. A
ll underwent transection of the medial collateral ligament bilaterally
. The experimental medial collateral ligaments received current (which
varied by group), while the contralateral medial collateral ligaments
(the controls), with identical electrodes, received no current. After
12 days, each ligament was tested biomechanically with use of a hydra
ulic materials testing machine. Group 1 (8.6 +/- 5.9 mu A) showed stat
istically significant improvements in maximum rupture force, energy ab
sorbed, stiffness, and laxity The groups that had received lower level
s of current did not show significant improvements. In this study, sti
mulation of 1-20 mu A was the most effective level of direct current f
or the enhancement of early healing of the medial collateral ligament.