Influence of High Voltage Pulsed Direct Current on Edema Formation Following Impact Injury

Abstract

Edema results in pain and may lead to reduced functional mobility. High voltage pulsed direct current (HVPC) has recently been advocated for edema control. The purpose of our study was to determine the effect of HVPC on edema formation in frogs. Hind limbs of 20 anesthetized frogs were injured by dropping a 450-g weight onto the plantar aspects of the feet. One hind limb of each frog was randomly selected to receive continuous 120-Hz HVPC at voltages 10% lower than those needed to evoke muscle contraction. Four 30-minute treatments were administered at 1.5-hour intervals beginning 10 minutes after trauma. Limb volumes were measured by water displacement. An analysis of variance for repeated measures and a Newman-Keuls post hoc test were used to determine the significance of treatment effects. The HVPC significantly (p less than .01) reduced edema formation. We hypothesize that HVPC may also be effective in controlling edema formation after impact injuries in humans. [Bettany JA, Fish DR, Mendel FC: Influence of high voltage pulsed direct current on edema formation following impact injury.

Effect of high-voltage pulsed current plus conventional treatment on acute ankle sprain

“…These results agree with previous animal studies 7,8,10,11,25,27 that showed the effectiveness of HVPC(-) in the treatment of posttraumatic edema.…”

“…The reduction in edema using this intensity has been shown in several animal studies 7,8,[10][11]25,27,28 . Another study used a current at motor threshold in the treatment of ankle sprain (acute phase) in humans and found no difference between the treatment group and the CG 16 .…”

“…The current intensity was at submotor level, i.e., too weak to elicit a visible motor response. The intensities were chosen based upon animal studies that reported positive results 7,8,10,11,25 . Because the participants were in the acute phase of injury, this intensity would avoid the risks of generating muscle contractions and increase the trauma.…”

“…In animal studies, the results of Bettany, Fish, and Mendel 7 and Taylor et al 8 indicated a reduction in edema in traumatized frog limbs treated with HVPC (75μs, 120 pps, submotor level intensity, and negative polarity). Mohr, Akers, and Landry 9 also studied edema in traumatized hind limbs of rats, applying frequencies of 80pps and pulse durations of 35μs, and observed a greater reduction in edema.…”

High-voltage electrical stimulation improves nerve regeneration after sciatic crush injury

“…The clinical advantage of HVES is that the stimulation is confortable and affects sensory, motor and nociceptive nerve fibers. The physical parameters involved in this current allow for several therapeutic effects, such as pain and edema control 22 , as well as acceleration of tissue repair 23,24 .…”