Functional assessment after peripheral nerve injury : kinematic model of the hindlimb of the rat

Doutoramento em Motricidade Humana na especialidade de FisioterapiaGait analysis is increasingly used on research methodology to assess dynamics aspects of functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury in the rat model, which ultimately is the goal of treatment and rehabilitation. In this thesis we studied nerve regeneration using techniques of molecular and cellular biology. Functional recovery was evaluated using the sciatic functional index (SFI), the static sciatic index (SSI), the extensor postural thrust (EPT), the withdrawal reflex latency (WRL) and hindlimb kinematics. Nerve fiber regeneration was assessed by quantitative stereological analysis and electron microscopy. From our results, hybrid chitosan membranes after sciatic nerve crush, either alone or enriched with N1E-115 neural cells, may represent an effective approach for the improvement of the clinical outcome in patients receiving peripheral nerve surgery. Collagen membrane, with or without neural cell enrichment, did not lead to any significant improvement in most of functional and stereological predictors of nerve regeneration that we have assessed, with the exception of EPT. Extending the kinematic analysis during walking to the hip joint improved sensitivity of this functional test. For motor rehabilitation, either active or passive exercises positively affect sciatic nerve regeneration after a crush injury, possibly mediated by a direct mechanical effect onto the regenerating nerve.FCT- Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologi