Reflex inhibition of the quadriceps muscle group is
a frequent and significant consequence of knee trauma,
disease and surgical insult. The resultant quadriceps
atrophy can be expected to delay rehabilitation and render
the joint vulnerable to repeated injury resulting in
capsular and synovial thickening, effusion and pain. A
major purpose of this study was to examine the degree of
quadriceps inhibition experienced by patients who undergo
arthroscopic menisectomy. A secondary goal of this study
was to investigate the efficacy of transcutaneous electrical
nerve stimulation on the relief of reflex inhibition. Tests
were performed on 12 patients prior to, and on day 1 and day
2 post surgery. True and placebo treatments of
transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation were
administered on day 1 and day 2 post surgery. Measurements
were made on the injured and normal limb with the knee fixed
at 38G of flexion. Motor unit activation was determined by
the twitch interpolation technique. Reduced motor unit
activation was considered indicative of quadriceps reflex
inhibition. Testing demonstrated that at all times the
injured leg was weaker than the normal leg (p=.OOl). Following surgery, strength of the injured limb was
significantly less than its pre operative score (p=.Ol). No
significant recovery of strength was observed during the
first two days following surgery. Injured legs were
characterized by significantly lower motor unit activation
at all times of testing Cp=.003). Following surgery, motor
unit activation for the injured leg was significantly lower
than its pre operative value (p=.Ol). By day 2 post
surgery, motor unit activation had recovered Cp=.05) and was
similar to the pre operative values for that leg.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation had no effect on
strength or motor unit activation. Recovery following
arthroscopic surgery is characterized by an initial loss of
strength and motor unit activation. By day 2, isometric
strength remains depressed, however motor unit activation
returns to pre surgery levels. / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/29412 |
| Date | 04 1900 |
| Creators | deSouza, Francis Kelley |
| Contributors | MacDougall, J. D., Adapted Human Biodynamics |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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