Posture after spinal injury to command axons for leg flexion

The postural adjustments were studied in 3 unoperated dogs and 2 dogs with transection of the right lateral column of the spinal cord at T-9 for (1) quiet stance and (2) during right hindlimb (RH) flexion for an auditory command signal. The displacements of the center of gravity were measured with 4 force plates on which the dogs stood. For both groups of dogs, the center of gravity was concentrated in a small area (2 cm on a side). During hindlimb flexion, the unoperated dogs either slowly flexed the RH limb, shifting the center of gravity to the left, or forcefully extended the RH limb first to shift the weight across the RF-LH limb couple. The operated dogs failed to flex the RH limb but shifted the center of gravity to the left and slowly adducted the limb until it slid from the force plate. It was concluded that the lesion of the lateral column did not affect the postural adjustment.