Research Article

Mechanism of Forelimb Motor Function Restoration after Cervical Spinal Cord Hemisection in Rats: A Comparison of Juveniles and Adults

Table 1

Forelimb Locomotor Scale (FLS): methods of scoring.

ScoreContents

0No movements of the forelimb (shoulder, elbow, or wrist joints)
1Slight movements of one or two joints of the forelimb
2Extensive movement of one joint and slight movement of another joint of the forelimb
3Slight movement of all three joints of the forelimb
4Extensive movement of one joint and slight movement of two joints of the forelimb
5Extensive movement of two joints and slight movement of one joint of the forelimb
6Extensive movement of all three joints of the forelimb
7Plantar placement of the forelimb with no weight support
8Dorsal stepping only
9Dorsal stepping and/or occasional plantar stepping
10Frequent plantar stepping
11Continuous plantar stepping
12Continuous plantar stepping with paw position rotated (at either initial contact, lift-off, or both)
13Continuous plantar stepping with paw position parallel (at either initial contact, lift-off, or both)
14Continuous plantar stepping with paw position rotated (at either initial contact, lift-off, or both) and occasional toe clearance
15Continuous plantar stepping with paw position parallel (at either initial contact, lift-off, or both) and occasional toe clearance
16Continuous plantar stepping with paw position parallel (at either initial contact, lift-off, or both) and frequent toe clearance
17Continuous plantar stepping with paw position parallel (at either initial contact, lift-off, or both) and continuous toe clearance