Thermal and non-thermal effects off capacitive-resistive electric transfer application on the Achilles tendon and musculotendinous junction of the gastrocnemius muscle: a cadaveric study

Carlos López-de-Celis, César Hidalgo-García, Albert Pérez-Bellmunt, Pablo Fanlo-Mazas, Vanessa González-Rueda, José Miguel Tricás-Moreno, Sara Ortiz, Jacobo Rodríguez-Sanz, Carlos López-de-Celis, César Hidalgo-García, Albert Pérez-Bellmunt, Pablo Fanlo-Mazas, Vanessa González-Rueda, José Miguel Tricás-Moreno, Sara Ortiz, Jacobo Rodríguez-Sanz

Abstract

Background: Calf muscle strain and Achilles tendon injuries are common in many sports. For the treatment of muscular and tendinous injuries, one of the newer approaches in sports medicine is capacitive-resistive electric transfer therapy. Our objective was to analyze this in vitro, using invasive temperature measurements in cadaveric specimens.

Methods: A cross-sectional study designed with five fresh frozen cadavers (10 legs) were included in this study. Four interventions (capacitive and resistive modes; low- and high-power) was performed for 5 min each by a diathermy "T-Plus" device. Achilles tendon, musculotendinous junction and superficial temperatures were recorded at 1-min intervals and 5 min after treatment.

Results: With the low-power capacitive protocol, at 5 min, there was a 25.21% increase in superficial temperature, a 17.50% increase in Achilles tendon temperature and an 11.27% increase in musculotendinous junction temperature, with a current flow of 0.039 A ± 0.02. With the low-power resistive protocol, there was a 1.14% increase in superficial temperature, a 28.13% increase in Achilles tendon temperature and an 11.67% increase in musculotendinous junction temperature at 5 min, with a current flow of 0.063 A ± 0.02. With the high-power capacitive protocol there was an 88.52% increase in superficial temperature, a 53.35% increase in Achilles tendon temperature and a 39.30% increase in musculotendinous junction temperature at 5 min, with a current flow of 0.095 A ± 0.03. With the high-power resistive protocol, there was a 21.34% increase in superficial temperature, a 109.70% increase in Achilles tendon temperature and an 81.49% increase in musculotendinous junction temperature at 5 min, with a current flow of 0.120 A ± 0.03.

Conclusion: The low-power protocols resulted in only a very slight thermal effect at the Achilles tendon and musculotendinous junction, but current flow was observed. The high-power protocols resulted in a greater temperature increase at the Achilles tendon and musculotendinous junction and a greater current flow than the low-power protocols. The high-power resistive protocol gave the greatest increase in Achilles tendon and musculotendinous junction temperature. Capacitive treatments (low- and high-power) achieved a greater increase in superficial temperature.

Keywords: Achilles tendon; CRet; Cadaver; Musculotendinous junction; Physical therapy.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Intervention with T-Plus Wintecare
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
a Temperature measurement with digital thermometer; b Thermocouple placement under ultrasound guidance; c Thermocouple position
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Superficial temperature. HPC: high-power capacitive; LPC: low-power capacitive; HPR: high-power resistive; LPR: low-power resistive
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Achilles tendon temperature. HPC: high-power capacitive; LPC: low-power capacitive; HPR: high-power resistive; LPR: low-power resistive
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Musculotendinous junction temperature. HPC: high-power capacitive; LPC: low-power capacitive; HPR: high-power resistive; LPR: low-power resistive

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Source: PubMed

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