Effects of Ibuprofen and High-Voltage Electric Stimulation on Acute Edema Formation After Blunt Trauma to Limbs of Rats

Abstract

Context: Ibuprofen is widely used to manage pain and inflammation after orthopaedic trauma, but its effect on acute swelling has not been investigated. Cathodal high-voltage pulsed current (CHVPC) at 120 pulses per second and 90% of visible motor threshold is known to curb edema formation after blunt trauma to the hind limbs of rats.Objective: To examine the effects of ibuprofen, continuous CHVPC, and simultaneous ibuprofen and CHVPC on acute edema formation after blunt trauma to the hind limbs of rats.Design: Randomized, parallel-group, repeated-measures design.Setting: Laboratory animal facility.Participants: A total of 21 3-month-old Zucker Lean rats (mass = 288 +/- 55 g) were studied.Intervention(s): We assessed the effects of ibuprofen, continuous CHVPC, and simultaneous ibuprofen and CHVPC on acute edema formation after blunt trauma to the hind limbs of rats.Main Outcome Measure(s): Limb volumes were measured immediately before and after trauma and every 30 minutes over the 4 hours of the experiment.Results: Volumes of treated limbs of all 3 experimental groups were smaller (P < .05) than those of untreated limbs, but no treatment was more effective than another.Conclusions: Ibuprofen, CHVPC, and simultaneous ibuprofen and CHVPC effectively curbed edema after blunt injury by roughly 50% relative to untreated but similarly injured control limbs of rats.

Figures

Figure 1. Limb × time interaction.

Limbs treated by ibuprofen, cathodal high-voltage pulsed current, or simultaneous application of ibuprofen and cathodal high-voltage pulsed current were smaller than untreated limbs for all time intervals except at time 0, P < .05

Figure 2. Limbs treated with ibuprofen, cathodal high-voltage pulsed current (CHVPC), or ibuprofen + CHVPC.

No differences were noted in limb volumes across time among the 3 treatments, P < .05