A Study of H-Reflexes in Subjects with Acute Ankle Inversion Injuries
Abstract
This study examined the H-reflex responses of the ankle invertor and evertor muscles in healthy individuals (N=20) and in individuals with an acute (< 10 days) ankle inversion injury (N=20). The purposes of this study were: (1) to determine whether or not a relationship exists between the H- ref lex response and the amount of ankle swelling, and (2) to determine whether or not a relationship exists between the H- reflex response and the functional level of individuals with an acute ankle inversion injury. All subjects underwent identical testing procedures. Subjects were evaluated for their level of function, and assigned a rating (0-10). The ankle girth of both ankles were then measured using the figure-of-eight method. The H-reflex responses of the flexor digitorum longus and the peroneus longus muscles were elicited by electrical stimulation of either the tibial or common peroneal nerve just above the popliteal fossa and recorded from each limb. Based on the findings, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) acute ankle swelling is related to the reflex inhibition of the ipsilateral flexor digitorum longus muscle, (2) a relationship between the H- reflex response and the functional level of individuals with an acute ankle inversion injury was not established, (3) individuals with either a grade I or grade II acute ankle inversion injury may also have a bilateral injury to the peroneal nerve, and (4) The figure-of-eight girth measurement technique is clinically useful in quantifying side-to-side differences in ankle girth.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 09, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA318727
Entities
People
- Robert C. Hall
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology