The positive effects of electrical stimulation induced isometric muscle contraction on the immobilized ankle joint: an animal model

Ho-Yi Tuan-Mu, Kuan-Lin Liu, Yu-Quan Ng
Purpose:

The aims of study are to investigate the effects of immobilization and immobilization with electrical stimulation induced isometric muscle contraction on the stromal vascular fraction gel treated injured tendon. 

Methods:

One hundred and eleven Sprague-Dawley male rats were used in this study including 3 of them as donor for the preparation of stromal vascular fraction gel. The other 108 rats were assigned into 3 treatment groups including stromal vascular fraction gel injection (control), immobilization after stromal vascular fraction gel (immobilization), and immobilization after stromal vascular fraction gel with electrical stimulation (IM with ES).

Results:

The results showed that immobilization could reduce tendon enlargement or swelling, reduce the delay union of the rupture site, and enhance the strength of the tendon; however, ankle joint contracture and muscle atrophy were found after immobilization. Electrical stimulation could further reduce the tendon enlargement, accelerate tendon healing, promote new born collagen fibers, enhance collagen fiber alignment, improve tendon strength and stiffness. Moreover, electrical stimulation could reduce muscle atrophy, ankle joint contracture, and tissue adhesion comparing to the immobilized ones.The results showed that immobilization could reduce tendon enlargement or swelling, reduce the delay union of the rupture site, and enhance the strength of the tendon; however, ankle joint contracture and muscle atrophy were found after immobilization. Electrical stimulation could further reduce the tendon enlargement, accelerate tendon healing, promote new born collagen fibers, enhance collagen fiber alignment, improve tendon strength and stiffness. Moreover, electrical stimulation could reduce muscle atrophy, ankle joint contracture, and tissue adhesion comparing to the immobilized ones.

Conclusion(s):

We concluded that the immobilization might be needed for tendon healing although which might cause ankle contracture and muscle atrophy. The use of electrical stimulation induced isometric muscle contraction could overcome the shortages and further improve collagen re-organization and mechanical properties of the tendon.

Implications:

Clinically, the monitored ankle setting exercise might be used for patients with the Achilles tendon tearing, especially those after regenerative medicine treatment for better tendon healing. 

Funding acknowledgements:
National Science and Technology Council in Taiwan (NSTC 112-2314-B-320-001) and Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital (TCRD 111-089) is grateful thanked
Keywords:
mechanical properties
isometric muscle contraction
tendon adhesion
Primary topic:
Orthopaedics
Second topic:
Musculoskeletal: lower limb
Third topic:
Sport and sports injuries
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
TZU-CHI UNIVERSITY Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee
Provide the ethics approval number:
111-087
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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