Abstract: Objective To explore the alteration in ethology and change of muscle fibers of gastronomies of rats following spinal cord injury(SCI). Methods 108 Wistar rats were divided into sham operation group (n=38) and SCI group (n=38) and rehabilitation group (n=32).The ethology was evaluated by Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan Locomotor Rating Scale (BBB Scale), and the alteration of muscle tissue's reactivitywas observed by immunohistochemistry staining. Results The BBB scores of rehabilitation group were higher than SCI group 3weeks after injury, but all was lower than 10. The cross section areas of gastrocnemius in both groups were getting smaller, but the rehabilitationgroup was slighter. Conclusion Spontaneous recovery occurred in some degree for rats' hind limb after spinal cord injury. Rehabilitationtraining is beneficial for the recovery of rats' motor function, and alleviates the atrophy of hind limb after spinal cord injury.

Key words: spinal cord injury, rehabilitation training, muscle