Direct Radiofrequency Application Improves Pain and Gait in Collagenase-Induced Acute Achilles Tendon Injury

Figure 3

Rats of the experimental group treated with RF showed prolonged stance phase, reduced step length, and increased intermediary toe-spread distance and preswing angle to approach normal when compared with rats without RF ((a) 𝑛=7, 𝑃<0.05; (b) 𝑛=8, 𝑃<0.05; (c) 𝑛=8, 𝑃<0.01, and (d) 𝑛=8, 𝑃<0.05). When compared rats with or without RF, stance phase increased on day 13 ((a), 𝑛=7, ^∗∗𝑃<0.001); step length reduced on day 15 ((b), 𝑛=8, ^∗𝑃<0.05); intermediary toe spread distance increased on days 11 and 15 ((c), 𝑛=8, ^∗∗𝑃<0.001, ^∗∗∗𝑃<0.0001); preswing angle in RF group increased on days 11 and 15 ((d), 𝑛=8, ^∗𝑃<0.05).

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)