2 research outputs found
Impact of monopolar radiofrequency energy on subchondral bone viability
The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of monopolar radiofrequency energy treatment on subchondral bone viability. The femoral grooves of six chinchilla bastard rabbits were exposed bilaterally to monopolar radiofrequency energy for 2, 4 and 8Â s, creating a total of 36 defects. An intravital fluorescence bone-labeling technique characterized the process of subchondral bone mineralization within the 3Â months following exposure to radiofrequency energy and was analyzed by widefield epifluorescence optical sectioning microscopy using an ApoTome. After 2Â s of radiofrequency energy exposure, regular fluorescence staining of the subchondral bone was evident in all samples when compared to untreated areas. The depth of osteonecrosis after 4 and 8Â s of radiofrequency energy treatment averaged 126 and 942Â Âľm at 22Â days (PÂ <Â .05; PÂ <Â .01). The 4Â s treatment group showed no osteonecrosis after 44Â days whereas the depth of osteonecrosis extended from 519Â Âľm at 44Â days (PÂ <Â .01), to 281Â Âľm at 66Â days (PÂ <Â .01) and to 133Â Âľm at 88Â days (PÂ <Â .05) after 8Â s of radiofrequency energy application. Though radiofrequency energy may induce transient osteonecrosis in the superficial zone of the subchondral bone, the results of this study suggest that post-arthroscopic osteonecrosis appears to be of only modest risk given the current clinical application in humans