Abstract:

BACKGROUND: More recently, radiofrequency energy (RFE) has been used to treat articular cartilage defects. However, the safety of these devices remains controversial.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate chongdrocyte viability and surface contouring of articular cartilage through glycosaminoglycan (GAG) detection and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively during different treatment time periods with bipolar radiofrequency energy (bRFE).
METHODS: Three fresh knees served as the experimental specimens for the study. Under sterile conditions, bRFE was used to treat the articular surface with different treatment time. Five RFE treatment time periods included 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 seconds. Full-thickness articular cartilage was then harvested from the treatment areas. Each specimen was divided into two distinct regions. Six specimens per treatment time were then assessed for chondrocyte viability through measuring the release rate of GAG; six specimens per treatment time were then assessed for the surface contouring of articular cartilage using SEM; and twelve additional untreated specimens were obtained to serve as controls for chondrocyte viability and surface contouring．
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: bRFE used for articular cartilage defects induced a dose-dependent detrimental effect on chongdrocyte and chongdrocyte viability was negatively correlated with the treatment time. However, articular cartilage smoothness degree was positively correlated with the treatment time. bRFE required a minimum of 20 seconds to smooth the cartilage surface sufficiently to reach the SEM score of 2. When bRFE was used to treat articular cartilage injury, chongdrocyte viability and articular cartilage smoothness degree were associated with the treatment time. Cautions should be taken in use of RFE for treatment of articular cartilage injury until long-term effects are evaluated.