Changes in sensorimotor functions after spinal lesions evaluated in terms of long-latency reflexes.
Lesions of the central afferent and efferent pathways cause onset-delays of long-latency EMG responses from anterior tibial muscle after passive dorsiflection of the ankle joint in standing subjects. In 23 patients with spinal tumour or cervical stenosis and clinical signs of a medullary lesion, short-, medium- and long-latency EMG responses from distal leg muscles after ankle dorsiflection were recorded prior to and after surgical intervention. Fifteen of the patients were re-examined between 1 and 2 years after surgery. The results of the follow-up study support the hypothesis of a supraspinal pathway for long-latency EMG responses in distal leg muscles and show their significance as a quantitative measure of sensorimotor functions.
Department of Neurology, University of Tubingen, FRG.
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Ackermann
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Diener
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Dichgans
D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011187:Posture; D012016:Reference Values; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013130:Spinal Stenosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery