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Pre-synaptic modulation of quadriceps arthrogenic muscle inhibition

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) impedes rehabilitation following knee joint injury by preventing activation of the quadriceps. AMI has been attributed to neuronal reflex activity in which altered afferent input originating from the injured joint results in a diminished efferent motor drive to the quadriceps muscles. Beginning to understand the mechanisms responsible for muscle inhibition following joint injury is vital to control or eliminate this phenomenon. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation is to determine if quadriceps AMI is mediated by a presynaptic regulatory mechanism. Eight adults participated in two sessions: in one session their knee was injected with saline and in the other session it was not. The maximum Hoffmann reflex (H-reflex), M-wave, reflex activation history, plasma epinephrine, and norepinephrine were recorded at: baseline, post needle stick, post lidocaine, and 25 and 45 min post effusion. Measures for the control condition were matched to the effusion condition. The percent of the unconditioned reflex amplitude for reflex activation history and the maximum H-reflex were decreased at 25 and 45 min post effusion as compared to measures taken at baseline, post needle stick, and post lidocaine (P<0.05). No differences were noted for the maximum M-wave or plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine levels in either the effusion or noneffusion admission (P>0.05). No differences were detected at any time interval for any measure during the control admission (P>0.05). Quadriceps AMI elicited via an experimental knee joint effusion is, at least in part, mediated by a presynaptic mechanism.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported in part by a grant from the National Institutes of Health to the University of Virginia General Clinical Research Center, number M01RR00847. Additional support was provided by the University of Virginia School of Medicine. The experiments comply with the current laws of the country in which they were performed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Neuromuscular Research Laboratory, Division of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, 401 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA

    Riann M. Palmieri

  2. Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Department of Human Services, University of Virginia, PO Box 400407, 210 Emmet Street, South, Charlottesville, VA, 22904-4407, USA

    Arthur Weltman

  3. Human Performance Laboratory, Department of Physical Education, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, IN, 47809, USA

    Jeffrey E. Edwards

  4. Orthopedic Surgery Control, Drexel University Health Sciences, New College Building, 245 N 15th St, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    James A. Tom

  5. Exercise and Sports Injury Laboratory, Department of Human Services, University of Virginia, PO Box 400407, 210 Emmet Street, South, Charlottesville, VA, 22904-4407, USA

    Ethan N. Saliba, Danny J. Mistry & Christopher D. Ingersoll

Authors
  1. Riann M. Palmieri
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  2. Arthur Weltman
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  3. Jeffrey E. Edwards
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  4. James A. Tom
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  5. Ethan N. Saliba
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  6. Danny J. Mistry
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  7. Christopher D. Ingersoll
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Correspondence to Riann M. Palmieri.

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Palmieri, R.M., Weltman, A., Edwards, J.E. et al. Pre-synaptic modulation of quadriceps arthrogenic muscle inhibition. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 13, 370–376 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-004-0547-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-004-0547-z

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