IMPAIRED REGENERATION IN RAT SCIATIC-NERVES EXPOSED TO SHORT-TERM VIBRATION

We have studied the effects of vibration on the regeneration capacity of the peripheral nerve. A rat model was used where one hind limb was subjected to vibration of defined magnitude and duration while the con tralateral hind limb was not exposed to vibration, Seven days later, t he sciatic nerves were transected bilaterally and cross-joined giving the following groups: group A, a proximal vibrated nerve end sutured t o a non-vibrated distal nerve end: group B, a non-vibrated proximal ne rve end sutured to a distal vibrated nerve end, and group C, non-vibra ted proximal nerve end sutured to a non-vibrated distal nerve end, The regeneration distances were measured 3, 6 and 8 days after surgery, T he control group showed a normal linear outgrowth, The outgrowth in th e two experimental groups was initially not different to controls but later became significantly different, indicating a retardation of outg rowth in these groups, It is concluded that short-term exposure to vib ration can impair nerve regeneration after transection and nerve repai r.