Isokinetic strength, macro EMG and muscle biopsy of paretic foot dorsiflexors in chronic neurogenic paresis

Abstract

Ten ambulatory patients with chronic dorsiflexor paresis due to prior poliomyelitis or lumbar root (LV) lesion and without recent decline of the foot dorsiflexor strength were examined with isokinetic strength measurement, macro EMG and muscle biopsy. Isokinetic strength measurement showed peak torques at 30 /s angular velocity ranging 6-44 Nm and at 240 /s 1-10 Nm. Mean of individual median macro EMG motor unit potential amplitudes was 2020 μV (SD 1040) which was 5-10 times higher than expected values in healthy subjects. Muscle biopsies showed a mean type 1 fibre proportion of 91% (SD 14) and a mean type 1 fibre area of 8561 μm2 (SD 2773) which was about 2 times larger than those observed in healthy subjects. Peak torque and both motor unit potential amplitude and area were inversely correlated at 30 (p < 0.01 and p < 0.025), 60 (p < 0.025 and p < 0.025) and 120 (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05) /s angular velocity, as were peak torque and type 1 muscle fibre proportion at 30 (p < 0.05) and 60 (p < 0.05) /s angular velocity. Peak torque or macro EMG parameters were not correlated to muscle fibre area. The data suggest that the remaining muscle strength was directly correlated to the degree of collateral sprouting and that about half of it could be attributed to compensatory muscle fibre hypertrophy.