PULSED THERAPEUTIC ULTRASOUND IN MUSCULAR LESION IN WISTAR RATS

Abstract

The therapeutic ultrasound is used thoroughly in the physiotherapy, its action is highlighted in some points as the inflammatory processes acceleration, pain and edema reduction, even so the literature presents conflicting results regarding these effects. The aim of this study was analyze the pulsed therapeutic ultrasound effects, in the pain and immediate edema, in rats submitted to the gastrocnemius lateral muscle experimental lesion. Twelve rats Wistar were used, randomly distributed in two groups, being: CG - animals just injured; TUG - injured and treated with pulsed therapeutic ultrasound at 5% with 0,5 W/cm2 (SATP). For the experimental lesion production, 0,1 mL of formalin 5% was introduced, in the right lateral gastrocnemius muscle belly. The pain evaluation occurred for the Paw Elevation Time (PET), and the edema was evaluated with a metallic caliper, both evaluations occurred before lesion, post-injury, post-treatment, 2, 8 and 24 hours post-injury. The results showed significant PET increase and of the caliper evaluation, after the lesion induction, and for the control group the pain it didn't decrease in any subsequent moment and the edema just returned to the initial levels 24 hours after the lesion. For the treated group the pain had significant increase after the treatment, and the edema reduction already occurred in the evaluation accomplished with 8 hours after the lesion. It is concluded that the ultrasound in the used parameters, produced edema decrease, even so it produced larger pain increase, in animals submitted to the muscular lesion with formalin 5% injection.