NEUROMUSCULAR EVALUATION USING RAT GAIT ANALYSIS

We have developed a rat gait analysis model to evaluate if ankle angle and other associated gait parameters could consistently define normal peroneal nerve and anterior tibialis muscle function. The second part of the study was designed to determine if such a model would be usefu l to measure recovery of function after a peroneal nerve crush injury (NCI). A clear plexiglas tunnel was designed for high-speed frame vide otaping and subsequent computergraphic gait measurement and analysis. Normal gait patterns for ankle angle, back height, step and stride len gths and the stance and swing times were determined in 8 rats. Data an alysis demonstrated no significant left/right differences for any of t he variables (ANOVA) with the exception of step length. Subsequently, 12 rats with a peroneal NCI were evaluated. All gait parameters evalua ted from the injured side were significantly different from the uninju red side after injury except stride length. Ankle angle was the most s ensitive outcome variable. Weekly gait analysis provided objective mea surements as the ankle angle gradually returned to normal within 3 wee ks. The rat gait model is a sensitive and reproducible method for non- invasive evaluation of neuromuscular function during nerve recovery af ter a peroneal crush injury.