Article

Electrodiagnosis can reveal the nerve and muscle changes following
surgical placement of an extracellular matrix (ECM) bioscaffold for treatment of
The purpose of this study was to
characterize nerve conduction study (NCS) and electromyography (EMG) changes
following ECM bioscaffold placement in individuals with VML. The ability of
presurgical NCS and EMG to be used as a tool to help identify candidates who are
likely to display improvements postsurgically also was explored. DESIGN: A
longitudinal case series design was used. METHODS: The study was conducted at the
McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.
Eight individuals with a history of chronic VML participated. The intervention
was surgical placement of an ECM bioscaffold at the site of VML. The strength of
the affected region was measured using a handheld dynamometer, and
electrophysiologic evaluation was conducted on the affected limb with standard
method of NCS and EMG. All measurements were obtained the day before surgery and
repeated 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Seven of the 8 participants had a
preoperative electrodiagnosis of incomplete mononeuropathy within the site of
VML. After ECM treatment, 5 of the 8 participants showed improvements in NCS
amplitude or needle EMG parameters. The presence of electrical activity within
the scaffold remodeling site was concomitant with clinical improvement in muscle
strength. LIMITATIONS: This study had a small sample size, and participants
served as their own controls. The electromyographers and physical therapists
performing the evaluation were not blinded. CONCLUSIONS: Electrodiagnostic data
provide objective evidence of physiological improvements in muscle function
following ECM placement at sites of VML. Future studies are warranted to further
investigate the potential of needle EMG as a predictor of successful outcomes
following ECM treatment for VML.
CI - (c) 2016 American Physical Therapy Association.

Langue : ANGLAIS