Ultrasound Measurements of Rectus Femoris and Locomotor Outcomes in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury

This study investigates the relationship between the characteristics of the rectus femoris muscle, measured by ultrasound, and the ability of patients with incomplete spinal cord injuries to regain movement and walking ability after rehabilitation. The study found that thicker rectus femoris muscles and lower levels of fat within the muscle, as measured by ultrasound, were associated with better muscle function and walking ability at the time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. These findings suggest that ultrasound measurements could be a useful tool for assessing muscle health and predicting functional outcomes in patients with spinal cord injuries, potentially helping to guide rehabilitation strategies.

• 1
  Rectus femoris muscle thickness was significantly correlated with discharge LEMS (Spearman’s rho = 0.448; p = 0.004), FIM motor subscale (Spearman’s rho = 0.595; p < 0.001), FIM walk subscale (Spearman’s rho = 0.621; p < 0.001) and WISCI II (Spearman’s rho = 0.531; p < 0.001).
• 2
  The rectus femoris echo intensity was also significantly correlated with discharge LEMS (Spearman’s rho = −0.345; p = 0.029), FIM motor subscale (Spearman’s rho = −0.413; p = 0.008), FIM walk subscale (Spearman’s rho = −0.352; p = 0.026), and WISCI II (Spearman’s rho = −0.355; p = 0.025).
• 3
  A relationship exists between rectus femoris muscle ultrasonographic characteristics and muscle function and ambulatory outcomes after inpatient rehabilitation.