Does spontaneous gait recovery after sciatic nerve transection impair the non-invasive evaluation of artificial nerve guides in rats?
The present study highlights that in the male Wistar rat sciatic model a spontaneous recovery in gait pattern occurs very early (within the first or second week); with this animal model, a recovery in gait is likely to ensue irrespective of the kind of device eventually tested since it may happen even without a device.
There are several possible interpretations for these results. These data are preliminary, and a larger, longitudinal study with a more structured exercise instrument will clarify if recommendations should be made about heavy exercise in the early postpartum months.