The structure and function of leg muscles in patients with «acute» posttraumatic tibial defects

The analysis of the sonographic characteristics and functional state indices of leg muscles was made in 18 male patients at the age of 12-62 years (33,4 ± 3,54 years) with «acute» posttraumatic tibial defects of 5-14 cm in the process of restoration of leg bone integrity by filling a bone tissue defect in the fascial-and-muscular sheath without additional lengthening of soft tissue component using the techniques of transosseous osteosynthesis. After the end of treatment, when the integrity of leg bones has been restored as well as their length, according US study the restoration of muscular structure occurs much slower. Within 6 months after the device removal atrophy of all the muscles studied is preserved, and the values of m. tibialis ant., m. gasrocnemius, m. soleus echodensity are increased due to the deficient time of rehabilitative process. Foot plantar flexors have a relatively fast rate of restoration, and foot dorsal flexors - a slow one, because the area of their attachment to tibia is damaged. The greatest rate of restoration is noted for muscular «contractility» index, which reaches 80 % of normal values.