Original Article

Spinal Cord (2008) 46, 124–128; doi:10.1038/sj.sc.3102078; published online 8 May 2007

Electrical stimulation and treadmill gait in tetraplegic patients: assessment of its effects on the knee with magnetic resonance imaging

F P Ferro1, H J N González1, D M Ferreira3 and A Cliquet Jr1,2

  1. 1Orthopaedics Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil
  2. 2Department of Electrical Engineering, University of São Paulo (USP), São Carlos, Brazil
  3. 3Radiology Service, University Hospital, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Brazil

Correspondence: Dr FP Ferro and Professor Dr A Cliquet Jr, Orthopaedics Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, Sao Paulo 13081-970, Brazil. E-mails: fpferro@yahoo.com and cliquet@fcm.unicamp.br

Received 6 October 2006; Revised 11 March 2007; Accepted 26 March 2007; Published online 8 May 2007.

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Abstract

Study design:

 

Evaluation of knees of tetraplegic patients who have been walking for several months with the aid of a system that involves neuromuscular stimulation, treadmill and a harness support device.

Objectives:

 

To investigate if the training program could cause knee injury to tetraplegic patients.

Setting:

 

Hospital das Clinicas – UNICAMP. Campinas-SP, Brazil.

Methods:

 

Nine patients were evaluated. Clinical exam and magnetic resonance images (MRIs) were used for evaluation. MRIs were taken before and after the training program, in a 6-month interval for each patient. There were two sessions of training every week. Each session lasted 20 min.

Results:

 

No severe clinical abnormality was observed in any patient. Mild knee injury was observed in four of nine patients studied.

Conclusions:

 

Tetraplegic patients undergoing treadmill gait training deserve a close follow-up to prevent knee injury.

Keywords:

quadriplegia, treadmill gait, neuromuscular electrical stimulation, knee, magnetic resonance imaging

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