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Osteosynthesis and Trauma Care 2004; 12(4): 219-223
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-832345
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Sensomotorics of the Knee Joint

R. Fremerey1 , N. Freitag1 , M. Stalp1 , H. Tscherne1
  • 1Trauma Department, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
30 November 2004 (online)

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Abstract

This neurophysiological study reports on the sensomotoric potential of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), the medial collateral ligament (MCL), and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in a sheep model. The results confirm the hypothesis of the existence of a ligamentomuscular reflex loop between ligamentary mechanoreceptors and the joint-stabilising muscles. The mechanical loading of the ACL triggered mainly the activity of the hamstrings, whereas the loading of the PCL led to the activation of the quadriceps. The loading of the collateral ligaments led to a weaker and less constant triggering of the ligamentomuscular reflex arch.

Key words

Sensomotoric system - knee ligaments - neurophysiology - muscular reflex

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PD Dr. Reinhard Fremerey

Trauma Department · Städtisches Krankenhaus Hildesheim GmbH

Weinberg 1

31141 Hildesheim

Germany

Phone: +49/51 21-89-45 56

Fax: +49/51 21-45 97

Email: ReinhardFremerey@t-online.de

Email: R.-WFremerey@stk-hildesheim.de