POSTER ABSTRACTS - ISAKOS

E-poster #170
The Effect of Shock Wave Treatment At The
Tendon-Bone Interface - A Histomorphological
and Biomechanical Study in Rabbits
Ching-Jen Wang, Taiwan, Presenter
Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan,
Kaohsiung, TAIWAN
Purpose: This study was performed to investigate
the effect of shock wave treatment on the healing
at tendon-bone interface in rabbits.
Materials and Methods: Thirty-six NEW ZEALAND
White rabbits were used in this study. The anterior
cruciate ligament was excised and replaced with
the long digital extensor. The right knees (study
group) were treated with 500 impulses of shock
waves at 14 kV, while the left knees (control
group) received no shock waves.
Histomorphological studies were performed in 24
rabbits at 1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks.
Biomechanical studies were performed in 12
rabbits at 12 and 24 weeks.
Results: There were significantly more trabecular
bones around the tendon noted in the study
group than the control group at different time
intervals after 4 weeks (P < 0.05). The binding
between bone and tendon was significantly better
in the study group than the control group after 8
weeks (P < 0.05). The tensile strength of the
tendon-bone interface was significantly higher in
the study group than the control group at 24
weeks (P = 0.018), and the modes of graft failure
differed between the two groups.
Conclusion: Shock wave treatment significantly
improves the healing of the tendon-bone interface
in a bone tunnel in rabbits. The effect of shock
waves appears to be time-dependent.
E-poster #171
Immunohistochemical Analysis of
Mechanoreceptors in the Human Posterior
Cruciate Ligament
Geraldo S.M. Granata Jr., Sao Paulo, BRAZIL,
Maria Thereza Alves Seixas, Sao Paulo, BRAZIL
University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, BRAZIL
Purpose: The aim of this study was to classify and
evaluate the frequency and localization of the
posterior cruciate ligament mechanoreceptors by
S-100 ant protein immunohistochemical method.
Type of Study: experimental in human cadavers.
Methods: Nineteen normal right knees harvested
from human male cadavers were evaluated. Age
ranged from 17 to 24 years old with a mean of 35
years. Posterior cruciate ligament was separated
for sampling in femoral and tibial portions.
Topographic distribution and frequency within the
ligament texture were determined employing the
Pro-Image digital analysis system.
Mechanoreceptors were counted and classified
according to the criteria proposed by Freeman &
Wyke (1967). Results: A total of 1820
mechanoreceptors were found, being type II the
most frequent. Analysis of the femoral portion of
the ligament showed an equivalent predominance
of type II and IV receptors. Tibial portion had a
predominance of type II mechanoreceptors,
followed by type IV. At this portion receptors types
I and III were less commonly identified.
Conclusions: There was no significant statistically
difference in relationship of femoral and tibial
portions mechanoreceptors. The type II receptor
was the most frequent. The present data suggest
that the PCL has not only biomechanical function
but also an important neural function.
E-poster w/ Standard #175
Mechanical Properties of the Anterior Cruciate
Ligament Treated with Radiofrequency
Shrinkage Deteriorate In Vivo Over Time, Even
When Sufficient Volume of Ligament Tissue
Remains Intact Around the Treated Portion
Eiji Kondo, Sapporo, JAPAN, Presenter
Harukazu Tohyama, Sapporo, JAPAN
Kazunori Yasuda, Sapporo, JAPAN
Neishin Chu, Sapporo, JAPAN
Taro Katsura, Sapporo, JAPAN
Hokkaido University School of Medicine, Sapporo,
JAPAN
INTRODUCTION: Effects of radiofrequency (RF)
energy on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
have not been sufficiently clarified. Our previous
in vitro study (Arthroscopy 2004) demonstrated
that the RF energy drastically reduced
biomechanical properties of the ACL immediately
after surgery, while the RF energy significantly
reduces the length of the ACL. Recently, a few
studies have shown that RF energy significantly
deteriorates structural properties of the whole
ACL under in vivo conditions. However, these
studies have ignored the existence of the
untreated intact portion in a cross-section of the
RF-treated lesion. In addition, these studies have
not determined the mechanical properties of the
RF-treated ligament, distinguishing it from those
of the intact ligament tissue. On the other hand,
in the clinical field, many orthopaedic surgeons