The Effect of Constant Direct Electrical Current on Intrinsic Healing in the Flexor Tendon in Vitro

Abstract

Light and electron microscopy were performed in a study of the effects of electrical stimulation upon the reparative processes in flexor tendons cultured in vitro. After one or two weeks of incubation, the unstimulated control tendons were covered with fibroblastic surface cells, thought to have originated from the epitenon. In contrast, the tendons subjected to electrical stimulation had no proliferation of the epitenon cells in the surface layer. The results indicate that electrical currents of low amperage suppress adhesion-causing synovial proliferation in the epitenon and promote active collagen synthesis in the tenocytes. This suggests the potential value of electrical stimulation in the control of adhesion formation after flexor tendon repair.