Studies of experimental scoliosis produced by electrical stimulation. With special reference to the histochemical properties of the muscle

Abstract

1) Back muscles on the right side of the rat were daily stimulated with electrical pulses through implanted electrodes. As a result, a scoliosis with convexity toward the non-stimulated side was produced. The cobb angle increased with time and became 18.6 +/- 9.9 degrees on average after 3 weeks. 2) On the stimulated side, type I fibers showed a significant increase in diameter. The area they occupied in the cross section, as well as the ratio of the area against that of type II fibers, were increased. These increases disappeared 3 weeks after the termination of the stimulation, whereas the scoliosis remained almost the same, maintaining an average angle of 17.2 +/- 7.4 degrees after 3 weeks. 3) From these results, the possibility was suggested that electrical stimulation is of use in treating idiopathic scoliosis.