Does Gabapentin Reduce Quadriceps Muscle Weakness After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction?
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2019-08-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a common sport injury in both professional and
recreational athletes. Furthermore, persistent quadriceps weakness and wasting are frequently
observed after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Several studies have
demonstrated that muscular rehabilitation to normal strength is difficult, protracted, and
often not achieved due to the inability to fully activate the quadriceps voluntarily. Pain
and disuse are often blamed for the inhibition of muscle activation following joint injury.
However, arthrogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) is often overlooked and not addressed. Thus, the
magnitude of strength restoration of the quadriceps is frequently restricted despite solid
rehabilitation protocols. As AMI is a reflex inhibition of musculature involving the
neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyrate (GABA), Gabapentin may have a potential role in modulating
AMI, therefore limiting muscle weakness after ACLR.