Application of Percutaneous Needle Electrolysis Does Not Elicit Temperature Changes: An In Vitro Cadaveric Study

Area of Science:

• Musculoskeletal Medicine
• Biophysics
• Medical Device Technology

Background:

• Percutaneous needle electrolysis (PNE) is an ultrasound-guided therapy using galvanic current.
• A proposed mechanism for PNE's efficacy is a localized thermal effect.
• Investigating temperature changes is crucial for understanding PNE's clinical action.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if PNE application alters temperature in cadaveric musculoskeletal tissues.
• To evaluate temperature changes in patellar tendon, infrapatellar fat, and vastus medialis muscle.
• To assess if different PNE protocols induce thermal effects.

Main Methods:

• A repeated-measures experimental study using 10 cryopreserved human knees.
• Ultrasound-guided PNE application via sterile needles in targeted tissues.
• Temperature measurements before and after distinct PNE protocols (e.g., 3:3:3 mA/s, 1.5:3:3 mA/s, 1:24:1 mA/s).

Main Results:

• No statistically significant Group*Time interactions were observed in any tested tissue.
• No appreciable temperature changes were detected in tendon, fat, or muscle tissues across different PNE applications.
• Results indicate PNE protocols did not induce significant thermal alterations.

Conclusions:

• PNE application does not produce significant thermal changes in human cadaver musculoskeletal tissues.
• The findings suggest thermal effects are unlikely to be the primary mechanism of PNE's clinical action.
• Further research may explore non-thermal mechanisms underlying PNE efficacy.