Insufficient recovery of neuromuscular activity around the knee after experimental anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Figures & data

Figure 1. Both techniques of ACL reconstruction, using the pediculated tendon of the extensor digitorum longus (a), and using the free bone-tendon-bone autograft from the central third of the patellar ligament (b).

Figure 2. Neurophysiological data for analysis (summed PSTH/bin). Slope of the mean activity (electrical activity counts against time) is obtained on PSTH/bin charts.

Figure 3. Charts showing mean ± SD firing activity (PSTH, units/bin) for MAN, PAN, quadriceps and hamstrings, during anterior tibial translation at 90° and 30° knee flexion, flexion, and extension. Comparisons by Mann-Whitney test after Bonferroni adjustment are included (*p <0.0125).

Figure 4. Charts showing mean ± SD slope (adimensional variable) for MAN, PAN, quadriceps and hamstrings, during anterior tibial translation at 90⁹ and 30⁹ knee flexion, flexion, and extension. Comparisons by Mann-Whitney test after Bonferroni adjustment are included (*p <0.0125).

Figure 5. Mean firing activity and PSTH slope in hamstrings recordings at ATT 30° flexion and during extension, to observe the contribution of graft type and stability, after two-way ANOVA analysis.

Effect of graft and/or stability on mean firing activity and PSTH slope in reconstructed knee. Two-way ANOVA for mean values of activity and slope in reconstructed knees. P-values are given when p <0.05

	ATD 90°			ATD 30°			FLEXION			EXTENSION
	Graft+stability	Graft	Stability	Graft+stability	Graft	Stability	Graft+stability	Graft	Stability	Graft+stability	Graft	Stability
Mean firing activity
MAN	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
PAN	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
QUADRICEPS	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
HAMSTRINGS	–	–	0.02	–	–	0.003	–	–	–	–	–	–
PSTH slope
MAN	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
PAN	–	–	0.003	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–
QUADRICEPS	–	–	–	–	–	0.02	–	–	–	–	–	0.001
HAMSTRINGS	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	–	0.03	–	–	0.02