Quantitative outcome measures for assessing motor control in a rodent model of spinal contusion injury

We present a 2-D kinematic measure, a 3-D kinematic measure and a kinetic measure to evaluate motor recovery in a rodent model of incomplete spinal cord injury. These measures allow serial assessment of recovery over time. Post injury there is a significant increases in hindlimb stance width and eversion angles, overextension of the ankle and hip angles, impaired knee angle control, and higher variability in all joint angle profiles. Not only hindlimb but also forelimb movement is impaired. The animals also have an impaired ability to maintain balance.