The Time-dependent Effects of Bipolar Radiofrequency Energy on Bovine Articular Cartilage
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of bipolar radiofrequency energy (bRFE) on chondroplasty at the different time durations in an in vitro experiment that simulated an arthroscopic procedure.
Methods: Six fresh bovine knees were used in our study. Six squares were marked on both the medical and lateral femoral condyles of each femur. Each square was respectively treated with bRFE for 0s, 10s, 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. Full-thickness articular cartilage specimens were harvested from the treatment areas. Each specimen was divided into three distinct parts: one for hematoxylin/eosin staining histology, another for cartilage surface contouring assessment via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the last one for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content measurement.
Results: bRFE caused time-correlated damage to chondrocytes, and GAG content in the cartilage was negatively correlated to exposure time. bRFE caused time-correlated damage to chondrocytes. The GAG content in the cartilage negatively correlated with the exposure time. The sealing effect positively correlated with the exposure time. Additionally, it took at least 20 seconds of radiofrequency exposure to render a smooth cartilage surface and a score of 2 (normal) in the scoring system used.
Conclusion: bRFE usage in chondroplasty could effectively trim and polish the cartilage lesion area; however, it induces a dose-dependent detrimental effect on chondrocytes and metabolic activity that negatively correlated with the treatment time. Therefore, cautions should be taken in the use of bRFE for treatment of articular cartilage injury.
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Posted 08 Jan, 2020
Received 01 Mar, 2020
On 12 Feb, 2020
Received 30 Jan, 2020
On 30 Jan, 2020
Received 30 Jan, 2020
Invitations sent on 28 Jan, 2020
On 28 Jan, 2020
On 08 Jan, 2020
On 07 Jan, 2020
On 07 Jan, 2020
On 06 Jan, 2020
The Time-dependent Effects of Bipolar Radiofrequency Energy on Bovine Articular Cartilage
Posted 08 Jan, 2020
Received 01 Mar, 2020
On 12 Feb, 2020
Received 30 Jan, 2020
On 30 Jan, 2020
Received 30 Jan, 2020
Invitations sent on 28 Jan, 2020
On 28 Jan, 2020
On 08 Jan, 2020
On 07 Jan, 2020
On 07 Jan, 2020
On 06 Jan, 2020
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of bipolar radiofrequency energy (bRFE) on chondroplasty at the different time durations in an in vitro experiment that simulated an arthroscopic procedure.
Methods: Six fresh bovine knees were used in our study. Six squares were marked on both the medical and lateral femoral condyles of each femur. Each square was respectively treated with bRFE for 0s, 10s, 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. Full-thickness articular cartilage specimens were harvested from the treatment areas. Each specimen was divided into three distinct parts: one for hematoxylin/eosin staining histology, another for cartilage surface contouring assessment via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the last one for glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content measurement.
Results: bRFE caused time-correlated damage to chondrocytes, and GAG content in the cartilage was negatively correlated to exposure time. bRFE caused time-correlated damage to chondrocytes. The GAG content in the cartilage negatively correlated with the exposure time. The sealing effect positively correlated with the exposure time. Additionally, it took at least 20 seconds of radiofrequency exposure to render a smooth cartilage surface and a score of 2 (normal) in the scoring system used.
Conclusion: bRFE usage in chondroplasty could effectively trim and polish the cartilage lesion area; however, it induces a dose-dependent detrimental effect on chondrocytes and metabolic activity that negatively correlated with the treatment time. Therefore, cautions should be taken in the use of bRFE for treatment of articular cartilage injury.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5