Giovanni Ribeiro Bernardino

Comparison of low level laser, ultrasonic therapy and association in joint pain in Wistar rats

INTRODUCTION Both therapeutic ultrasound as a low level laser therapy are used to control musculoskeletal pain, despite controversy about its effects, yet the literature is poor and also presents conflicting results on possible cumulative effects of techniques association. The aim was to compare the antinociceptive effects of low level laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound and the association. METHODS 24 Wistar rats were divided into: GPL--induction of hyperesthesia in the right knee, and untreated; GUS--treated with therapeutic ultrasound (1 MHz, 0.4 W/cm2) GL--low intensity laser (830 nm, 8 J/cm2); GL+US--treated with both techniques. To produce the hyperesthesia 100 μl of 5% formalin solution were injected into the tibiofemoral joint space, which was assessed by von Frey filament digital before (EV1), 15 (EV2), 30 (EV3) and 60 (EV4) minutes after induction. RESULTS In comparison within groups, for the withdrawal threshold when the fi lament was applied to the knee, the back to baseline was observed only for GUS. Comparisons between groups were not different in EV3, and GL was higher than GPL. In EV4 the three groups effectively treated were higher than placebo. On withdrawal threshold on the plantar surface, GL showed return to baseline values already in EV3, and GUS and GL+US returned in EV4. Comparing the groups in EV3 there was a significantly lower threshold to compare GPL with GL and GUS (p <0.05), and there was only EV4 differences when comparing GPL with GUS. CONCLUSION Both modalities showed antinociceptive effects.

Avaliação nociceptiva da associação entre exercício físico e fibrina rica em plaquetas em ratos Wistar submetidos ao modelo de compressão de nervo mediano

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Platelet-rich fibrin is a new and promising technique to accelerate repair, with possible analgesic effects; however, there is still a gap with regard to peripheral nerve injury and the association with physical exercises. So, this study aimed at evaluating the effects of platelet-rich fibrin associated to physical exercises on nociception and edema in experimental median nerve compression model. METHODS: Thirty-six rats, all submitted to median nerve compression, were divided in six groups: G1: without additional manipulation; G2: compression and treated with platelet-rich fibrin; G3: compression and treated with free swimming; G4: compression and walking on a treadmill; G5: free swimming + platelet-rich fibrin; G6: walking on a treadmill + platelet-rich fibrin. Injury was induced by tying the median nerve with chrome plated catgut 4.0. Platelet-rich fibrin was obtained by centrifuging 1.5 mL of blood and positioning the fibrin clot directly on the compression region. Exercises were carried out during two weeks, between the 3rd and 14th postoperative days. Nociception and edema were evaluated, respectively, by flinch threshold and plethysmometer, in moments before injury and in the 3rd, 7th and 15th postoperative days. RESULTS: There have been no differences among groups, only among evaluations, showing increased nociception and edema, which has lasted or improved, respectively, over time. CONCLUSION: Platelet-rich fibrin alone or associated to physical exercises has not changed nociception and edema.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Platelet-rich fibrin is a new and promising technique to accelerate repair, with possible analgesic effects; however, there is still a gap with regard to peripheral nerve injury and the association with physical exercises. So, this study aimed at evaluating the effects of platelet-rich fibrin associated to physical exercises on nociception and edema in experimental median nerve compression model. METHODS: Thirty-six rats, all submitted to median nerve compression, were divided in six groups: G1: without additional manipulation; G2: compression and treated with platelet-rich fibrin; G3: compression and treated with free swimming; G4: compression and walking on a treadmill; G5: free swimming + platelet-rich fibrin; G6: walking on a treadmill + platelet-rich fibrin. Injury was induced by tying the median nerve with chrome plated catgut 4.0. Platelet-rich fibrin was obtained by centrifuging 1.5 mL of blood and positioning the fibrin clot directly on the compression region. Exercises were carried out during two weeks, between the 3rd and 14th postoperative days. Nociception and edema were evaluated, respectively, by flinch threshold and plethysmometer, in moments before injury and in the 3rd, 7th and 15th postoperative days. RESULTS: There have been no differences among groups, only among evaluations, showing increased nociception and edema, which has lasted or improved, respectively, over time. CONCLUSION: Platelet-rich fibrin alone or associated to physical exercises has not changed nociception and edema.