[The injured and the immobilized muscle cell: ultrastructural observations]

Muscle soreness is a common feature among athletes and untrained individuals who engage in unusual, especially intense eccentric exercise. Various biochemical markers as for example elevated CK demonstrate a damage of muscle cells. The most prominent structural finding is a varying degree of disruption of the contractile material up to cell degeneration. These morphological findings reach their maximum 2 or 3 days after exercise. Signs of regeneration, however, are seen even weeks after exercise. In a prospective study we investigated the structures of the quadriceps muscle in 41 patients with chronic symptomatic instability of the anterior cruciate ligament before, 9 and 26 weeks after operation using the needle biopsy technique. The immobilized muscle showed a rapid and large atrophy which markedly reduced aerobic capacity as well as maximal strength. Preoperative values weren't attained 26 weeks postoperative despite intense physiotherapeutic exercise. The control leg showed an atrophy as well, but only aerobic capacity was reduced, maximal strength remained about the same.