Assessment of Electromyographic Activity in the Quadriceps and Hamstrings of the Operated Limb Versus the Unaffected Limb in Patients Who Have Undergone ACL Surgery, With and Without Post-operative AMI - an Exploratory Study

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Electromyography: Surface EMG of the quadriceps (vastus medialis, vastus lateralis and vastus longus) and the semimembranosus and biceps femoris muscles of the hamstrings on both the affected and unaffected sides, to objectively assess quadriceps inhibition.

Study summary

Traumatic injuries to the knee joint, such as an anterior cruciate ligament tear, can compromise the ability of the muscle at the front of your thigh-known as the quadriceps-to contract voluntarily, despite the anatomical integrity of the nerve and muscle structures responsible for contraction. This phenomenon, commonly known as 'arthrogenic motor inhibition' (AMI), is a major limiting factor for recovery and rehabilitation following an anterior cruciate ligament tear, as well as a potential cause of functional disability if left undiagnosed and untreated. Indeed, motor inhibition that persists during the early months of rehabilitation could lead to under-activation of the quadriceps and over-activation of the hamstrings (the muscles at the back of your thigh).

It is of interest to assess, during the rehabilitation phase, the contraction capacity of the various quadriceps and hamstring muscles in the operated limb compared with the unaffected limb in patients who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament surgery and who experience post-operative motor inhibition, and in patients who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament surgery but do not experience post-operative motor inhibition. This is why this study has been initiated.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• EMG activity — Month 3
  The average amplitude of EMG activity in the VM (Vastus Medialis) is assessed using the Root Mean Square (RMS) value, which is expressed in millivolts (mV). The RMS is recorded using surface electrodes placed on the vastus medialis. The primary outcome measure (activation deficit) is the absolute difference in RMS between the operated leg and the unaffected leg.

Trial sites (1)

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