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Vascular Density at the Myotendinous Junction of the Rat Gastrocnemius Muscle After Immobilization and Remobilization

Paavo Nurmi Center, Sports Medical Research Unit, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

Timo Hurme, MD

Paavo Nurmi Center, Sports Medical Research Unit, Department of Paediatric Surgery, Department of Pathology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

Pekka Kannus, MD

The Accident and Trauma Research Center and the Tampere Research Center of Sports Medicine, the UKK-Institute, Tampere, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

Teppo Järvinen, BM

Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Tampere, and Department of Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

Vesa-Matti Maunu, BM

Paavo Nurmi Center, Sports Medical Research Unit, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

Laszlo Jozsa, MD

Department of Morphology, National Institute of Traumatology, Budapest, Hungary, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

Markku Järvinen, MD

Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Tampere, and Department of Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland

Muscle injuries often occur at or near the myotendinous junction. Immobilization decreases the tensile strength of the myotendinous junction and predisposes it to strain injury. However, there are no data available on whether physical training or remobilization can lower the susceptibility of the myotendinous junction to strain injuries. We investigated the effects of three different remobilization programs (8 weeks) after immobilization (3 weeks) by evaluating the vascular density at the myo tendinous junction of the rat gastrocnemius muscle.

The myotendinous junctions had a portal system vas cularity, or capillary-arteriole-capillary system, which probably protects the blood supply against pathologic conditions. The vascular density at the myotendinous junction decreased about 30% after immobilization (P< 0.001). After free cage remobilization for 8 weeks, the mean vascular density returned to the level of the con trols. After progressively increasing running programs the vascular density was slightly higher in the immobi lized myotendinous junction and about 50% higher than controls in the contralateral myotendinous junction (P < 0.001). The capacity of the vascular bed of the rat myo tendinous junction to recover from immobilization atro phy seems to be good. Progressively increasing physi cal training improves the process of revascularization and probably protects an injured and immobilized muscle from reinjury.

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