Quantifying the Temporal Resolution of Gas-Induced Ultrasound Changes Following Percutaneous Electrolysis in Tendon Tissue. A Cadaveric Study
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Abstract
Objective: To quantitatively assess the temporal evolution of the electrolytic ultrasonographic effect induced by percutaneous electrolysis on cadaveric patellar tendons, and to compare the behavior of three different application protocols.
Methods: An in vitro experimental study was performed on three cadaveric patellar tendons. Three percutaneous electrolysis protocols were applied: Dose A (3 impulses x 3 seconds x 3 mA), Dose B (3 impulses x 3 seconds x 3 mA plus a three-needle bath at 1 mA up to 1,000 mJ), and Dose C (three-needle bath at 1 mA up to 14,000 mJ). The electrolytic effect was quantified using ultrasound image analysis at multiple time points: pre-treatment, immediately post-treatment, and at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, 360 (6h), 720 (12h), and 1,440 minutes (24h). Graphical inspection and curvilinear regression models were used to describe the temporal dynamics of each protocol.
Results: Dose A showed a stable, reproducible response, with a peak effect at 20 minutes (value: 5.60), followed by a gradual return to baseline at 360 minutes (6 hours). Dose B exhibited greater variability but returned to baseline by 360 minutes. Dose C revealed the greatest dispersion, with high peaks (8.50 at 20 minutes) and persistent negative values at 24 hours, without evidence of stabilization. Quadratic and cubic models provided the best fit for Dose A, while lower fitting was observed for Doses B and C.
Conclusions: The temporal pattern of the electrolytic effect varies notably depending on the protocol used. Quantitative ultrasound imaging provides an objective, non-invasive method for monitoring changes during percutaneous electrolysis therapy.
Keywords
- Percutaneous electrolysis
- dosing
- quantitative ultrasound
- galvanic current
- tendinopathy
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Copyright (c) 2025 Miguel Malo-Urriés, Jacobo Rodríguez-Sanz, Sergio Borrella-Andrés, Isabel Albarova-Corral, Izarbe Ríos-Asín, Carlos López-de-Celis
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