Lower-extremity Muscle Atrophy and Fat Infiltration After Chronic Spinal Cord Injury

Overview

Journal J Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact

Specialties Neurology
Orthopedics
Physiology

Date 2015 Mar 3

PMID 25730650

Citations 43

Authors

C D Moore

B C Craven

L Thabane

A C Laing

A W Frank-Wilson

S A Kontulainen

A Papaioannou

J D Adachi

L M Giangregorio

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Atrophy and fatty-infiltration of lower-extremity muscle after spinal cord injury (SCI) predisposes individuals to metabolic disease and related mortality.

Objectives: To determine the magnitude of atrophy and fatty-infiltration of lower-extremity muscles and related factors in a group of individuals with chronic SCI and diverse impairment.

Methods: Muscle cross-sectional area and density were calculated from peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans of the 66% site of the calf of 70 participants with chronic SCI [50 male, mean age 49 (standard deviation 12) years, C2-T12, AIS A-D] and matched controls. Regression models for muscle area and density were formed using 16 potential correlates selected a priori.

Results: Participants with motor-complete SCI had ≈ 32% lower muscle area, and ≈ 43% lower muscle density values relative to controls. Participants with motor-incomplete SCI had muscle area and density values that were both ≈ 14% lower than controls. Body mass (+), tetraplegia (+), motor function (+), spasticity (+), vigorous physical activity (+), wheelchair use (-), age (-), and waist circumference (-) were associated with muscle size and/or density in best-fit regression models.

Conclusions: There are modifiable factors related to muscle size, body composition, and activity level that may offer therapeutic targets for preserving metabolic health after chronic SCI.

Citing Articles

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