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Umbilical movement after spinal cord injury
1Please address correspondence to Anthony Chiodo, MD, University of Michigan Hospital, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 325 E. Eisenhower Parkway, Ann Arbor, MI 48108, USA. tchiodo@umich.edu
The Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine
|July 29, 2005
Summary
Abdominal muscle weakness after spinal cord injury (SCI) causes predictable umbilical movement during muscle contraction. This observation aids in determining the neurological level and type of spinal cord lesion.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Physiology
Background:
- The movement of the umbilicus during abdominal muscle contraction in neuromuscular diseases and spinal cord injury (SCI) was first described by Charles Beevor over a century ago.
- This phenomenon, though documented, has been reported sporadically in the literature since Beevor's initial description.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document and analyze the specific movements of the umbilicus resulting from abdominal muscle weakness in individuals with SCI.
- To establish a correlation between observed umbilical movements and the characteristics of the spinal cord lesion.
Main Methods:
- A case review study was conducted.
- The study focused on documenting umbilical displacement during abdominal muscle contraction in patients with SCI.
Main Results:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to distinct patterns of abdominal muscle weakness.
- This weakness results in predictable and observable movements of the umbilicus when abdominal muscles are contracted.
Conclusions:
- The observation of umbilical movement during abdominal muscle contraction in SCI patients provides valuable confirmatory data regarding the neurological level and lesion type.
- Further research is recommended to investigate the impact of associated abdominal muscle weakness on motor function and respiratory capacity.