HIGH VOLTAGE PULSED CURRENT STIMULATION OF THE SCIATIC NERVE IN RATS: ANALYSIS BY THE SFI

Objective: To analyze the efficiency of high voltage pulsed cur-rent (HVPC) with early application in three different sites, in the regeneration of the sciatic nerve in rats submitted to crush injury, the sciatic functional index (SFI) was used to assess the functional recovery. Methods: After crushing of the nerve, 57 animals were submitted to cathodal HVPC at frequency of 50Hz and voltage of 100V, 20 minutes per day, 5 days per week. The rats were divided into five groups: control group; ganglion group; ganglion + muscle group; muscle group; and sham group. The SFI was determined weekly for seven weeks, from the preoperative period to the 6th postoperative week. Results: Compared with the control group, the results showed a signifi-ORIGINAL ARTICLE Acta Ortop Bras. 2012;20(2): 93-