Histological study of tendon healing in malnourished Wistar rats treated with ultrasound therapy.

PURPOSE To investigate the effects of therapeutic ultrasound on the healing of tendon injuries in malnourished rats. METHODS After the intended nutritional states had been attained, the animals (N=36) were distributed into three groups, named: G1(N=12), control group; G2(N=12), malnourished rats treated with 3 MHz ultrasound at an intensity of 0.5 W/cm(2); and G3 (N=12), normal animals treated with 3 MHz at 0.5 W/cm(2). The injuries were induced by means of an operation to expose the heel tendon and crush it using Allis forceps. RESULTS The data obtained relating to leukocyte counts, fibroblasts, vessel neoformation, fibrosis and collagen were subjected to statistical treatment using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Student's t test. Results of p < 0.05 were obtained for fibrosis and collagen. CONCLUSION The ultrasound was shown to be effective in repairing the tendon, even in malnourished animals whose healing process was retarded.