Bulk movement included in multi-channel mechanomyography: similarity between mechanomyography of resting muscle and that of contracting muscle.

Although mechanomyography (MMG) reflects local vibrations from contracting muscle fibers, it also includes bulk movement: deformation in global soft tissue around measuring points. To distinguish between them, we compared the multi-channel MMG of resting muscle, which dominantly reflected the bulk movement caused by arterial pulsations, to that of the contracting muscle. The MMG signals were measured at five points around the upper arms of 10 male subjects during resting and during isometric ramp contraction from 5% to 85% of maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) of the biceps brachii muscle.

Lateral translation of the lumbar spine: in vitro biomechanical study.

A biomechanical study of lateral translation in lumbar spine with human cadavers was performed in order to explore the direction of the force increasing lateral translation and the contributions of discs and facet joints to lateral translation. Whole lumbar spines from 12 fresh cadavers were attached to a specially designed loading apparatus whose five cables simulated the muscles of the trunk without restricting natural movement. Three-dimensional positions of each vertebra were recorded with position-sensitive detectors.

Gait analysis of patients with neurogenic intermittent claudication.

Study Design: The gait of patients with neurogenic intermittent claudication was analyzed before and after surgery using a ground reaction force plate.

Objectives: To analyze the gait characteristics of patients with neurogenic intermittent claudication, to evaluate quantitatively their gait improvement after surgical treatment, and to examine the differences in gait characteristics and postoperative improvement among different types of neuropathy.

Summary Of Background Data: A number of reports have been published on the pathophysiology or treatment of neurogenic intermittent claudication.