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Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction does not induce further gamma loop abnormalities on the intact side of the quadriceps femoris: A longitudinal study
Author(s) -
Konishi Y.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of medicine and science in sports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.575
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1600-0838
pISSN - 0905-7188
DOI - 10.1111/sms.12894
Subject(s) - medicine , anterior cruciate ligament , quadriceps femoris muscle , stimulation , electromyography , vastus medialis , patella , quadriceps tendon , knee joint , acl injury , patellar ligament , anatomy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , surgery , patellar tendon , isometric exercise
This study aimed to investigate the effect of surgery on the gamma loop of the quadriceps on the side with an intact knee in patients with anterior cruciate ligament ( ACL ) injuries. We compared longitudinally the response of alpha motor neurons to vibration stimulation of the quadriceps on the side with an intact knee before and after ACL reconstruction. To evaluate alpha motor neuron response, we measured the maximal knee extension strength and integrated electromyography of the vastus medialis, vastus lateralis, and rectus femoris. After obtaining pre‐vibration data from each subject, vibration stimulation was applied to the infrapatellar tendon, and the same measurements were performed immediately after stimulation. The results of this study showed that the response to prolonged vibration stimulation on the intact side of the quadriceps did not differ pre‐ and post‐surgery. As vibration stimuli normally elicit a decrease in alpha motor neuron activity in normal individuals, abnormal responses to prolonged vibration stimulation of the quadriceps on the side with an intact knee might be observed in patients with ACL injuries. The abnormality of the gamma loop of the quadriceps on the side with an intact knee was probably induced by the rupture. Based on these results, we conclude that surgery does not induce further gamma loop abnormalities on the intact side of the quadriceps.