Comparison of Acute Histologic and Biomechanical Effects of Radiofrequency Ablation and Cryoablation on Periarticular Structures in a Swine Model

Neither RF ablation nor cryoablation resulted in significant acute changes in cartilage architecture. However, RF ablation resulted in marked disruption of tendon architecture, tendon shortening, ligament weakening, and loss of ligament stiffness, whereas cryoablation had no significant effect on any of these parameters. These findings suggest that cryoablation may have fewer negative acute effects than RF ablation, although long-term outcomes are currently unknown.