Premium
Progressive surgical dissection for tendon transposition affects length‐force characteristics of rat flexor carpi ulnaris muscle
Author(s) -
Smeulders Mark J. C.,
Kreulen Michiel,
Joris Hage J.,
Baan Guus C.,
Huijing Peter A.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1016/s0736-0266(01)00181-4
Subject(s) - isometric exercise , anatomy , dissection (medical) , medicine , flexor carpi ulnaris , tendon , fascia , extensor carpi ulnaris , ulnar nerve , elbow
Extramuscular connective tissue and muscular fascia have been suggested to form a myo‐fascial pathway for transmission of forces over a joint that is additional to the generally accepted myo‐tendinous pathway. The consequences of myo‐fascial force transmission for the outcome of conventional muscle tendon transfer surgery has not been studied as yet. To test the hypothesis that surgical dissection of a muscle will affect its length‐force characteristics, a study was undertaken in adult male Wistar rats. During progressive dissection of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle, isometric length‐force characteristics were measured using maximal electrical stimulation of the ulnar nerve. After fasciotomy, muscle active force decreased by approximately 20%. Further dissection resulted in additional decline of muscle active force by another 40% at maximal dissection. The muscle length at which the muscle produced maximum active force increased by approximately 0.7 mm (i.e. 14% of the measured length range) after dissection. It is concluded that, in rats, the fascia surrounding the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle is a major determinant of muscle length‐force characteristics. © 2002 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.