ACL Tears Impact Your Brain

Vidcast:  https://youtu.be/hqeOv8cPjj0   Anterior cruciate ligament injuries with subsequent repairs lead to a 15% reduction in the connections between the brain and muscles of the affected leg.  Sports medicine scientists at the University of Michigan studied 10 subjects over 5 years following their surgery with MRI analysis of their corticospinal tracts, their brain to muscle cables.   Neural connections to the injured limb revealed atrophy and reduced functional signal transmission.  The investigators speculate that this nerve impulse cutback may serve to speed knee healing.   We know the importance of post-ACL surgery physical therapy.  Now we know, though, that strengthening exercises must be directed not only to the affected leg but also to the brain powering it.   Adam S. Lepley, Monica T. Ly, Dustin R. Grooms, Jeffery M. Kinsella-Shaw, Lindsey K. Lepley. Corticospinal tract structure and excitability in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A DTI and TMS study. NeuroImage: Clinical, 2020; 25: 102157 DOI: 10.1016/j.nicl.2019.102157   #acl #corticospinaltract #physicaltherapy