Low-intensity pulsed galvanic current and the healing of tenotomized rat achilles tendons: preliminary report using load-to-breaking measurements.

The possible beneficial effects of low-intensity, pulsed galvanic currents on the healing of tenotomized Achilles tendons was investigated in three groups (20 animals each) of male Sprague-Dawley rats. Treatments via implanted electrodes were given once daily for 15 minutes over a two-week period. Although a portable high-voltage galvanic stimulator was used, stimulus intensity was only 75 microA at a frequency of 10/sec. Tendons were tested after two weeks for the load required to rebreak them at the original tenotomy site. The group treated with anodal current withstood significantly greater loads (p less than 0.001) than did either the group which healed normally (ie, without stimulation) or the group treated with cathodal current.