Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on the cartilage joint thickness of distal femoral metaphysis in the rat

The purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of pulse electromagnetic fields (PEMFs) on joint cartilage thickness of the distal femoral metaphysis in the rat. Twelve female 84 days old Wistar rats from the same litter, were randomly assigned into two groups: the first group received focused PEMF’s (30 mT/1 Hz/ 30 min/20 days) on the knee (MS). The second, the control group (Non-MS), was managed similarly, except magnetical stimulation was applied. All the animals were sacrificed for histological joint tissue evaluation; 6 μm bone longitudinal sections of the knee were obtained and stained with a hematoxiline-eosine technique. These sections were analyzed in a light clear field microscope. The joint surface thickness was measured. Statistically significant differences were found in joint cartilage thickness when compared MS with Non-MS (p=0.001). Our results evidenced that in vivo PEMF’s stimulation increases the knee joint cartilage thickness in healthy young adult rats.