Neuromuscular disorders in women and men with spinal cord injury are associated with changes in muscle and tendon architecture

This study looks at how spinal cord injury (SCI) affects the muscles and tendons in the lower limbs, and how this relates to nerve function. The study found that people with SCI had smaller muscles with altered structure (lower thickness, pennation angle, and fascicle length) and increased echo intensity, indicating changes in muscle quality. Tendons were also affected. The study also found electrophysiological disorders in the muscles of SCI patients, suggesting nerve damage. These changes may explain why muscles don't respond well to electrical stimulation after SCI.

• 1
  Muscle thickness, pennation angle, and fascicle length were lower in SCI participants for most muscles studied (RF, VL, VM, TA).
• 2
  Echogenicity and chronaxie were greater in SCI participants, indicating changes in muscle quality and nerve function.
• 3
  SCI participants had a higher prevalence of neuromuscular electrophysiological disorders (NED) in the RF, VL, VM, and TA muscles.