[Quantitative echographic assessment of muscular physiopathology]

The evaluation of muscular contraction is one of the main variables in muscular reeducation treatment protocols. US depicts muscular structure and size, as well as changes in both. A real-time US unit with 5/7.5 MHz probes and a computer with advanced software were used; the US unit was modified so as to reduce scanning times and to yield a high number of images/second (about 45). During endoscopy, a higher number of intermediate positions can thus be found between rest and contraction, which yields more statistically significant results. The US unit is connected to a video-recorder and to an electrostimulator to obtain isometric and isotonic contractions; the latter unit is connected to the US unit so that the electric and the US energies can be emitted simultaneously and the synchronism of the contraction and of the beginning of the electric stimulation can be assessed. Besides normal control subjects, patients with hypotrophic recto-femoral muscle were examined: the results were collected in a databank useful to choose the most appropriate treatment, to follow patients during therapy, to evaluate the final results and finally to be used in sports activities.