FIG. 1.

A pictorial representation of the VML and SMU implantation procedure. (A) One-third of the left TA muscle was removed, (B) leaving an ∼33% muscle volume deficit. (C) A single SMU (D) was implanted into the VML site, with one of its bone anchors inserted into a tibial bone tunnel and the other tendon end sutured to the distal TA tendon left from muscle volume removed. The tibial and distal TA tendon attachment sites are marked by black arrows in D. A branch of the peroneal nerve with its vasculature was isolated and sutured to the mid-belly of the SMU, marked by the white arrows in B and D. SMU, skeletal muscle unit; TA, tibialis anterior; VML, volumetric muscle loss. Color images available online at www.liebertpub.com/tea