Abstract
We investigated the effects of a vibratory stimulus on the plantar surface of the hind limb for motor, sensory, and locomotive function using a mouse cast model. The right knee joint of C57BL/6 male mice (7 weeks, 20 g, n = 31) was flexed with aluminum splint and tape for 6 weeks. These mice were randomly divided into 2 groups (control group, n = 11 and vibration group, n = 12). The mice in the vibration group received vibration on the sole of the ankle for 15 minutes per day, 5 days per week. After the knee joint cast was removed, we measured the range of motion (ROM) of both knee and ankle joints and the sensory threshold of the sole. Further, both walking and swimming movements were analyzed with a digital video. The sole vibration did not affect the passive ROM of the knee joint and sensory threshold after cast removal. However, it increased the ankle dorsiflexion range and improved free walking, swimming, and active movement of the knee joint. In conclusion, we show that the vibration recovered both walking and swimming movements, which resulted from improvements in both the passive ankle dorsiflexion and active knee movement.
Highlights
Casting has been utilized as one of the standard methods for stabilizing the joints and soft tissues in post-traumatic injuries [1,2,3]
The knee extension angle after the 2-week casting was significantly smaller than that after the 6-week casting (Fig 3C). These results show that the sole vibration itself did not affect the knee angle after the removal of the knee cast
The sole vibration may not have contributed to touch sensation after cast removal We investigated whether the vibration contributed to the recovery of the sensory threshold
Summary
Casting has been utilized as one of the standard methods for stabilizing the joints and soft tissues in post-traumatic injuries [1,2,3]. After cast removal, several joint problems develop, such as limitation of range of motion (ROM) [4], muscle weakness [5], and mechanical hyperalgesia [6]. Medical rehabilitation is needed to resolve these problems [7]. In addition to rehabilitative training, recent physical therapy methods such as electrical and vibratory stimuli [8,9] have been used to facilitate recovery from joint problems.
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