The Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Evidence (SCIRE) is a synthesis of the research evidence underlying rehabilitation interventions to improve the health of people living with SCI. SCIRE covers a comprehensive set of topics and in this issue we present six papers relevant to SCI rehabilitation clinicians (SCI inpatient rehabilitation practices, gait strategies, upper extremity reconstructive surgery, spasticity treatments, cardiovascular health and bone health). The SCIRE used a systematic and well-defined protocol to assess and synthesize the evidence. Each article was scored for its methodological quality using either the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) Score for randomized controlled trials or the Downs and Black Tool for other types of studies. Following the individual study assessment, conclusions were drawn about the accumulated studies for each topic of interest based on the levels of evidence, quality of studies and concurring evidence. The SCIRE project was designed for health professionals to inform them of best practices.

The purpose of this study was to review retrospectively and evaluate a uniform group of C6-spared quadriplegics who had similar surgical procedures. Eight patients undergoing 12 procedures were reviewed at an average of 3.8 years follow-up. There were three bilateral procedures. All patients had extensor carpi radialis longus to flexor digitorum profundus and brachioradialis to flexor pollicis longus transfers to improve grip strength and key pinch. All patients reported subjective improvements in quality of life, activities of daily living and patient-centred goals. There were six excellent and two good results. Objective improvements included mild improvements in key pinch and grip strength.

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