Sciatic function index

There are several performance tests for the return of motor function. One of the most often used is the Sciatic Function Index (SFT) derived by de Medinaceli et al. (1982) from a series of measurements of the walking gait of the rat. This index has been modified by Bain et al. (1989) for analysis of foot prints after peroneal nerve injury, and is known as the Peroneal Function Index (PFI). We and others have found that the quantitative analysis of toespread and of print length is more reliable indicator of recovery from peroneal nerve crush than is the PFI (Hare et al., 1993 Strand et al., 1993b). 

Figure 21.10 Walking track analysis, (a) sciatic function index (SFl) values of rats at 2,4, 8, 10, and 14 weeks after implantation, n=3 P<0.05 (b) footprints at4 (bl), 8 (b2), and 14 (b3) weeks postoperatively.

---