The Acute Effect Of Bipolar Radiofrequency Energy In Human Articular Cartilage

The lesions of cartilage are conductive. Chondroplasty is the primary treatment of partial thickness (Outerbridge grade 2 and 3) articular cartilage lesions. It can prevent the propagation of lesions. Radiofrequency (RF) technology has being wide used of these years for it is cheap and easy to use. But in vitro studies about safety both support and decry its use.Objective To evaluate the effect of RF in partial thickness lesions. And sensitive methods for cell activity were selected to estimate the safety of RF in chondrocyte.Methods Samples were harvested from femoral condyles after total knee replacement. Then those samples were divided into three groups, group 1: sham operation, group 2: RF treatment (Setting 2), group 3: RF treatment (Setting 6). Cartilage's surface, ground substance and appearance of chondrocyte were observed in general and using HE staining, Masson staining. Scan electron microscope (SEM) also being used. The activity of chondrocyte was estimated by TUNEL and flow cytometer (FCM).Results The surface of cartilage was smooth and stable. The regions after treatment in cartilage were observed being smooth in light microscope after HE staining. No differences were found when using Masson staining. The twist collagen fibers were melted and flatten in SEM. There was no difference of chondrocyte's death rate in three groups by FCM. But the death rate was increased according to the RF setting. And the penetrate depth was increased according to the RF setting too.Conclusions It is confirmed that the quality of surface and ground substance of cartilage was improved after treatment. The surface of soften cartilage was stable. And we can conclude that RF energy is safe for chondrocyte when using it limitedly.