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Recovery of long-term denervated human muscles induced by electrical stimulation

Corresponding Author

Helmut Kern MD

[email protected]

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Electrostimulation and Physical Rehabilitation, Wilheminenspital Wien, A-1171 Vienna, Austria

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Electrostimulation and Physical Rehabilitation, Wilheminenspital Wien, A-1171 Vienna, AustriaSearch for more papers by this author

Stanley Salmons MSc, PhD,

Stanley Salmons MSc, PhD

Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom

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Winfried Mayr PhD,

Winfried Mayr PhD

Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

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Katia Rossini DBiol,

Katia Rossini DBiol

C.N.R. Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

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Ugo Carraro MD,

Ugo Carraro MD

C.N.R. Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

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Helmut Kern MD,

Corresponding Author

Helmut Kern MD

[email protected]

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Electrostimulation and Physical Rehabilitation, Wilheminenspital Wien, A-1171 Vienna, Austria

Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Electrostimulation and Physical Rehabilitation, Wilheminenspital Wien, A-1171 Vienna, AustriaSearch for more papers by this author

Stanley Salmons MSc, PhD,

Stanley Salmons MSc, PhD

Department of Human Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom

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Winfried Mayr PhD,

Winfried Mayr PhD

Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

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Katia Rossini DBiol,

Katia Rossini DBiol

C.N.R. Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

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Ugo Carraro MD,

Ugo Carraro MD

C.N.R. Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Biomedical Science, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

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First published: 07 September 2004

https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.20149

Citations: 118

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Abstract

We investigated the restorative potential of intensive electrical stimulation in a patient with long-standing quadriceps denervation. Stimulation started 18 months after injury. After 26 months, the thighs were visibly less wasted. Muscle cross-sectional areas, measured by computerized tomography, increased from 36.0 cm² to 57.9 cm² (right) and from 36.1 cm² to 52.4 cm² (left). Knee torque had become sufficient to maintain standing without upper extremity support. Biopsies revealed evidence of both growth and regeneration of myofibers. The results suggest that electrical stimulation may offer a route to the future development of mobility aids in patients with lower motor neuron lesions. Muscle Nerve, 2004

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Volume31, Issue1

January 2005

Pages 98-101

Recovery of long-term denervated human muscles induced by electrical stimulation

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Recovery of long-term denervated human muscles induced by electrical stimulation

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