Abstract: The effect of Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation on the healing of tendon in abbit was evaluated using 10 young clinically normal, healthy New-Zealand white male rabbits, ged 6 months and weighing 3. 6 ± 0. 8 Kg. All the rabbits were anaesthetized by using ombinations of xylazine, ketamine, acepro mazine and diazepam. Splitting of 2cm full hickness of right Achilles tendon was conducted in all rabbits with scalpel (10 times),followed by their division into two groups of 5 rabbits each. In group I, the tendon was allowed to heal without the application of any treatment, but in group II, TES threapeutic regimens were egun on 3rd day after splitting at a 1W/cm2 for 24 minutes with 70 Hz frequency and 1. 1 mA intensity daily for 15 days. The full surface of electrodes covered with pad soaked in water properly, which were placed in closed contact with skin in proximal part of
splitted tendon (2 positive electrodes) and distal part(2 negative electrodes),were subsequentely fixed with adhesive tape. After 30 days, biopsy was collected from injured part for histomorphological evaluation. The staining procedure employed was Haematoxylin and Eosin stain. Results: The union was observed to be comparatively much better in group II (treated one) presenting the least inflammatory reaction, parallel and advanced stage
of collagen formation with minimum cellularity when compared to the control one. Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation(TES) for two weeks had positive and stimulatory effect on tendon healing, with the least inflammatory cells being regular and parallel bundle of collagen fiber formation in the treated group. TES as a physical method of therapy proved quite effective in tendon healing and faster remodelling of tendon fibers. J.Vet.Res.
62,2:21-25,2007.
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