This study found a strong association between the presence or absence of early-assessed MSTBs and walking ability 1-year post-SCI for individuals throughout the SCI severity spectrum. These findings suggest the potential importance of having MRI evidence of this spared neural tissue to increase the likelihood of walking recovery. The assessment of MSTBs presence/absence in the subacute phase of injury may assist clinicians in developing plans of care appropriately balanced between walking recovery strategies and maximizing independence with alternate modes of locomotion.
Thornton et al. (Wed,) studied this question.