Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Temporal profile of the effects of regional anesthesia on the cutaneous reflexes of foot muscles

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Experimental Brain Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We analyzed the effects of an anesthetic sciatic nerve block on the cutaneomuscular reflex (cMR) and the cutaneous silent period (cSP) of foot muscles, in order to investigate further the type of fibers involved in their generation. In 14 neurologically normal patients with indication for surgical treatment of hallux valgus, we recorded from the extensor digitorum brevis muscle the reflex responses elicited by high-intensity electrical stimulation of the big toe at various time periods, ranging from 0 to 20 min, after ultrasound-guided sciatic nerve popliteal anesthetic block. The first effect was a delay in cSP onset latency, with no changes in end latency. The cMR remained unaltered up to when subjects were no longer able to maintain the contraction. The effects of local anesthetics on peripheral nerves allow for recognition of the different types of fibers contributing to the cMR and the cSP in muscles of the lower limb.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Brull R, Macfarlane AJ, Parrington SJ, Koshkin A, Chan VW (2011) Is circumferential injection advantageous for ultrasound-guided popliteal sciatic nerve block?: a proof-of-concept study. Reg Anesth Pain Med 36:266–270

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Caccia MR, McComas AJ, Upton ARM, Blogg T (1973) Cutaneous reflexes in small muscles of the hand. J Neurol Neurosurg Psych 36:960–977

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen R, Ashby P, Lang AE (1992) Stimulus-sensitive myoclonus in akinetic-rigid syndromes. Brain 115:1875–1888

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Deshpande N, Metter EJ, Ling S, Conwit R, Ferrucci L (2008) Physiological correlates of age-related decline in vibrotactile sensitivity. Neurobiol Aging 29:765–773

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Evans AL, Harrison LM, Stephens JA (1989) Task-dependent changes in cutaneous reflexes recorded from various muscles controlling finger movement in man. J Physiol 418:1–12

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fagius J, Wallin BG (1980) Sympathetic reflex latencies and conduction velocities in normal man. Neurol Sci 47:433–448

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ferrari L, Crestan V, Sabattini G, Vinco F, Fontana S, Gozzi A (2010) Brain penetration of local anaesthetics in the rat: implications for experimental neuroscience. J Neurosci Methods 186:143–149

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Floeter MK (2003) Cutaneous silent periods. Muscle Nerve 28:391–401

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Garnett R, Stephens JA (1980) The reflex responses of single motor units in human first dorsal interosseous muscle following cutaneous afferent stimulation. J Physiol 303:351–364

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gibbs J, Harrison LM, Stephens JA (1995) Cutaneomuscular reflexes recorded from the lower limb in man during different tasks. J Physiol 487:237–242

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gokin AP, Philip B, Strichartz GR (2001) Preferential block of small myelinated sensory and motor fibers by lidocaine: in vivo electrophysiology in the rat sciatic nerve. Anesthesiology 95:1441–1454

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Granacher U, Gruber M, Gollhofer A (2010) Force production capacity and functional reflex activity in young and elderly men. Aging Clin Exp Res 22:374–382

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Han JK, Oh K, Kim BJ, Koh SB, Kim JY, Park KW et al (2007) Cutaneous silent period in patients with restless leg syndrome. Clin Neurophysiol 118:1705–1710

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Inghilleri M, Cruccu G, Argenta M, Polidori L, Manfredi M (1997a) Silent period in upper limb muscles after noxious cutaneous stimulation in man. Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol 105:109–115

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Inghilleri M, Cruccu G, Argenta M, Polidori L, Manfredi M (1997b) Silent period in upper limb muscles after noxious cutaneous stimulation in man. Electroenceph clin Neurophysiol 105:109–115

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jenner JR, Stephens JA (1982) Cutaneous reflex responses, and their central nervous pathways studied in man. J Physiol 333:405–419

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kallio J, Avela J, Moritani T, Kanervo M, Selänne H, Komi P, Linnamo V (2010) Effects of ageing on motor unit activation patterns and reflex sensitivity in dynamic movements. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 20:590–598

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kofler M (2003) Functional organization of exteroceptive inhibition following nociceptive electrical fingertip stimulation in humans. Clin Neurophysiol 114:973–980

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kofler M, Poustka K (2004) Interside comparison of cutaneous silent periods in thenar muscles of healthy male and female subjects. Clin Neurophysiol 115:2123–2127

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kofler M, Müller J, Reggiani L, Valls-Solé J (2001a) Influence of gender on auditory startle responses. Brain Res 921:206–210

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kofler M, Müller J, Reggiani L, Valls-Solé J (2001b) Influence of age on auditory startle responses in humans. Neurosci Lett 307:65–68

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kofler M, Kumru H, Stetkarova I, Schindler C, Fuhr P (2007) Muscle force up to 50 % of maximum does not affect cutaneous silent periods in thenar muscles. Clin Neurophysiol 118:2025–2030

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kofler M, Valls-Solé J, Vasko P, Boček V, Stetkárová I (2014) Influence of limb temperature on cutaneous silent periods. Clin Neurophysiol 125:1826–1833

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kranz H, Adorjani C, Baumgartner G (1973) The effect of nociceptive cutaneous stimuli on human motoneurons. Brain 96:571–590

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kumru H, Opisso E, Valls-Solé J, Kofler M (2009) The effect of a prepulse stimulus on the EMG rebound following the cutaneous silent period. J Physiol 587:587–595

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leis AA, Kofler M, Ross MA (1992) The silent period in pure sensory neuronopathy. Muscle Nerve 15:1345–1348

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Leis AA, Stokic DS, Fuhr P, Kofler M, Kronenberg MF, Wissel J et al (2000) Nociceptive fingertip stimulation inhibits synergistic motoneuron pools in the human upper limb. Neurology. 55:1305–1309

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lopergolo D, Isak B, Gabriele M, Onesti E, Ceccanti M, Capua G, Fionda L, Biasiotta A, Di Stefano G, La Cesa S, Frasca V, Inghilleri M (2014) Cutaneous silent period recordings in demyelinating and axonal polyneuropathies. Clin Neurophysiol. doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2014.11.013

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lourenço G, Iglesias C, Cavallari P, Pierrot-Deseilligny E, Marchand-Pauvert V (2006) Mediation of late excitation from human hand muscles via parallel group II spinal and group I transcortical pathways. J Physiol 572:585–603

    Article  PubMed Central  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McNulty PA, Macefield VG (2001) Modulation of ongoing EMG by different classes of low-threshold mechanoreceptors in the human hand. J Physiol 537:1021–1032

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Meinck HM, Benecke R, Küster S, Conrad B (1983) Cutaneomuscular (flexor) reflex organization in normal man and in patients with motor disorders. Adv Neurol 39:787–796

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Missair A, Weisman RS, Suarez MR, Yang R, Gebhard RE (2012) A 3-dimensional ultrasound study of local anesthetic spread during lateral popliteal nerve block: what is the ideal end point for needle tip position? Reg Anesth Pain Med 37:627–632

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Onal MR, Ulas UH, Oz O, Bek VS, Yucel M, Taslıpınar A et al (2010) Cutaneous silent period changes in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with small fiber neuropathy. Clin Neurophysiol 121:714–718

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodi Z, Springer C (2011) Influence of muscle contraction and intensity of stimulation on the cutaneous silent period. Muscle Nerve 43:324–328

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Romaniello A, Truini A, Galeotti F, De Lena C, Willer JC, Cruccu G (2004) Cutaneous silent period in hand muscle is evoked by laser stimulation of the palm, but not the hand dorsum. Muscle Nerve 29:870–872

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rossi P, Pierelli F, Parisi L, Perrotta A, Bartolo M, Amabile G et al (2003) Effect of painful heterotopic stimulation on the cutaneous silent period in the upper limbs. Clin Neurophysiol 114:1–6

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sala-Blanch X, de Riva N, Carrera A, López AM, Prats A, Hadzic A (2012) Ultrasound-guided popliteal sciatic block with a single injection at the sciatic division results in faster block onset than the classical nerve stimulator technique. Anesth Analg 114:1121–1127

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Serrao M, Parisia L, Pierellib F, Rossi P (2001) Cutaneous afferents mediating the cutaneous silent period in the upper limbs: evidences for a role of low-threshold sensory fibres. Clin Neurophysiol 112:2007–2014

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Serrao M, Parisi L, Valente G, Martini A, Fattapposta F, Pierelli F et al (2002) L-Dopa decreases cutaneous nociceptive inhibition of motor activity in Parkinson’s disease. Acta Neurol Scand 105:196–201

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Stetkarova I, Kofler M (2013) Differential effect of baclofen on cortical and spinal inhibitory circuits. Clin Neurophysiol 124:339–345

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Svilpauskaite J, Truffert A, Vaiciene N, Magistris MR (2006) Electrophysiology of small peripheral nerve fibers in man. A study using the cutaneous silent period. Medicina (Kaunas) 42:300–313

    Google Scholar 

  • Tataroglu C, Uludag B, Karapinar N, Bademkiran F, Ertekin C (2005) Cutaneous silent periods of the vastus medialis evoked by the stimulation of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Clin Neurophysiol 116:1335–1341

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Truini A, Padua L, Biasiotta A, Caliandro P, Pazzaglia C, Galeotti F et al (2009) Differential involvement of A-delta and A-beta fibres in neuropathic pain related to carpal tunnel syndrome. Pain 145:105–109

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Turner LC, Harrison LM, Stephens JA (2002) Finger movement is associated with attenuated cutaneous reflexes recorded from human first dorsal interosseous muscle. J Physiol 542:559–566

    Article  PubMed Central  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Verdú E, Ceballos D, Vilches JJ, Navarro X (2000) Influence of aging on peripheral nerve function and regeneration. J Peripher Nerv Syst 5:191–208

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Yoon TS, Han SJ, Lee JE, Park DS, Jun AY (2011) Changes in the cutaneous silent period by paired stimulation. Neurophysiol Clin 41:67–72

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Merche Morales for her help in the preparation of the manuscript. We also acknowledge the financial support through Grant PI0526 from FIS to JVS.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hospital Universitario Lauro Wanderley, João Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil

    Isabella A. Mota

  2. Hospital Universitario Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil

    João B. Fernandes

  3. Hospital Santo António, Centro Hospitalario do Porto, Porto, Portugal

    Marcio N. Cardoso

  4. Anesthesiology Department, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain

    Xavier Sala-Blanch

  5. Department of Neurology, Hochzirl Hospital, Zirl, Austria

    Markus Kofler

  6. Unitat d’Electromiografia, Servei de Neurologia, Hospital Clínic, IDIBAPS (Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica August Pi i Sunyer), Universitat de Barcelona, 08036, Barcelona, Spain

    Josep Valls-Solé

Authors
  1. Isabella A. Mota
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. João B. Fernandes
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Marcio N. Cardoso
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xavier Sala-Blanch
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Markus Kofler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Josep Valls-Solé
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Josep Valls-Solé.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mota, I.A., Fernandes, J.B., Cardoso, M.N. et al. Temporal profile of the effects of regional anesthesia on the cutaneous reflexes of foot muscles. Exp Brain Res 233, 2587–2596 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-015-4329-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-015-4329-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation