Shortwave diathermy effects on 35S-sulfate uptake and glycosaminoglycan concentration in rabbit knee tissue.

The effect of shortwave diathermy on glycosaminoglycan metabolism in different connective tissues of rabbit knee was studied by both autoradiography and radioactivity measurements and quantification of the separated glycosaminoglycans. Of 30 rabbits used, 12 received 100W shortwave diathermy to the right knee 10 minutes a day for 5 days. Autoradiography clearly showed a higher uptake of 35S-sulfate by the capsular tissues of the knee treated with shortwave diathermy than in the contralateral knee. The most prominent feature of the biochemical analysis was the increase in the galactosamine (43%) and glucosamine (26%) concentrations of the collateral ligament glycosaminoglycans of the treated knee.