The American journal of sports medicine
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Tourniquet application is commonly used during surgery on an extremity to create a bloodless field. Investigations have focused on the ultrastructural, histochemical, and biochemical effects of tourniquet ischemia on muscle. Few studies, however, have examined the influence of tourniquet ischemia on the contractile properties of muscle. ⋯ Furthermore, both TPT and 1/2RT demonstrated consistent changes. These results indicate that the contractile properties of both the soleus and plantaris are dramatically effected by a 2 hour tourniquet. They further suggest that there may be a differential response based upon fiber type.