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Muscle spindles in immobilized muscle: electron microscopic study of recovery

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Abstract

This study is concerned with the morphological recovery process of muscle spindles following a long period of immobilization. The right hindlimbs of rats were fixed with a plaster cast for 4 weeks. Thereafter, four groups of rats were examined by electron microscopy. One group served as the control after the cast was removed. The other three groups were examined after free walking for 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively. The muscle spindles (tibialis anterior muscle) of the individual animals were then ultrastructurally analyzed. The morphological alterations (of the outer capsule, intrafusal muscle fibers, and intrafusal nerve components) gradually recovered during free walking and regained almost all normal features in 12 weeks after returning to walking.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wakayama Medical College, 27 7-Bancho, 640, Wakayama, Japan

    Yasuhiko Takahashi

  2. Kansai College of Oriental Medicine, 1-2-11 Wakaba, Kumatoricho Sennangun, 590-04, Osaka, Janpa

    Michio Kimura

Authors
  1. Yasuhiko Takahashi
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  2. Michio Kimura
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Takahashi, Y., Kimura, M. Muscle spindles in immobilized muscle: electron microscopic study of recovery. Med Electron Microsc 30, 102–109 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01545090

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01545090

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