ELECTRICAL MUSCLE STIMULATION ON THE SPINE - 3-DIMENSIONAL EFFECTS INRABBITS

We investigated the 3-dimensional effect of electrostimulation of the latissimus dorsi, the erector spinae and the intercostal muscles on sp inal configuration in 16 New Zealand white rabbits. Electrostimulation on the right side of the spine resulted in a left convex, hypokyphoti c curve and vertebral body rotation towards the convexity of the curve in all rabbits. The Cobb angle in the coronal plane increased with st imulation of each of the muscles examined. The kyphosis decreased with stimulation of the latissimus dorsi and the erector spinae. The verte bral rotation increased with stimulation of all muscles. Stimulation o f the tested muscles resulted in the simultaneous occurrence of a 9-di mensional spinal deformity with the characteristics of idiopathic scol iosis.