Joint-specific changes in locomotor complexity in the absence of muscle atrophy following incomplete spinal cord injury

Following an incomplete spinal cord injury (iSCI), the signals from the brain to the spinal cord are disrupted, potentially leading to changes in how someone walks. This study investigates if iSCI affects coordination and reduces the complexity of walking by examining joint movements and muscle characteristics in rats with and without spinal cord injuries. The study found that after iSCI, rats showed overextension of the ankle, which was compensated for by reduced movement at the knee. Also, the coordination between the left and right legs was altered. Despite these changes, the rats could still walk at a reasonable speed. The research suggests that the changes in walking patterns after iSCI, specifically the loss of complexity in ankle movements, can be attributed to the disruption of signals from the brain rather than muscle weakness. This highlights the ankle's importance in rehabilitation after spinal cord injury.

• 1
  Muscle parameters were similar between groups with no evidence of muscle atrophy.
• 2
  The animals showed overextension of the ankle, which was compensated for by a decreased range of motion at the knee.
• 3
  Decrease in supraspinal control following iSCI causes a loss of complexity of ankle kinematics.