Neuromuscular and Motor System Alterations After Knee Trauma and Knee Surgery.

Knee trauma and operations have a high incidence and economic relevance. They are among the most frequent injuries especially in sports. Recently, both diagnostic possibilities (such as MRT) and the surgical spectrum (meniscus suture, cartilage cell breeding) have increased. Internationally, an increase in minimal-invasive procedures can be observed, supported by improved surgical equipment. Rehabilitation has changed, too, in parallel to the technical and surgical developments—it has been characterized by early-functional rehabilitation concepts since the early 90s. In spite of advances in diagnostics, surgical procedures and physiotherapeutic rehabilitation, there are short and/or long-term changes in motoric function following trauma and surgery. The subject matter of Motor System has nothing in common with the subject matter of movement. "In this way, there is a clear distinction between the totality of all regulating processes and functions on the one hand, and the adverse outcomes of these processes, human movement, on the other hand." (Marhold 1995 from Beyer 1992, 425). > Deficient activation of the musculature is seen, especially the knee extensors, consecutive atrophy—especially of the M. vastus medialis—and coordinative changes may occur. For posttraumatic and postoperative changes—for both the deficits and the therapy- or training-related adaptations—the explanations are meager. It is therefore urgently necessary to provide explanations in order to establish adequate treatment. The following questions must be answered: 1.How are the receptors in the knee joint supplied and what structures may be mechanically damaged in interior knee trauma or following surgical procedures?2.What metabolic changes occur in conjunction with knee trauma or surgical procedures?3.Are there any nervous functions disrupted in interior knee trauma or surgical procedures?4.What changes can be measured in complex motor functions after knee injury and after surgical treatment?5.Is there a pattern in the measurable changes?6.What therapeutic consequences arise for rehabilitation? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]