Use of a cold cathode for percutaneous stimulation of human plantarflexor muscles.
Prolonged, supramaximal stimulation of the soleus muscle is painful to humans. A method is proposed whereby percutaneous, supramaximal stimulation is possible using a cold cathode. Cooling the skin exposed to the stimulating current results in a sufficient anaesthesia of nociceptive cutaneous afferent nerves. This occurs without concomitant cooling of the muscle mass deep to the skin and subcutaneous tissue.
Galea
V
V
School of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. galeav@mcmaster.ca
D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D004566:Electrodes; D004576:Electromyography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007036:Hypothermia, Induced; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000502:physiology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D059408:Pain Management; D012881:Skin Temperature