Analysis of the Factors Influencing Functional Outcomes in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury

Abstract

[Purpose] The extent of functional independence ultimately achieved by an individual patient will be influenced by a variety of medical and non-medical factors. [Subjects and Methods] this study included 419 patients with spinal cord lesions treated in the Clinic for Rehabilitation “Dr M. Zotovic”, Belgrade, Serbia, from January 2000 to December 2009. The patients were divided in two groups according to achievement of increase in Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score of more than 13 at discharge compared to admission. A variety of clinical variables were followed in both groups. [Results] one hundred twenty-one patients (28.9%) showed improvements in FIM score of ≤13, while 298 (71.1%) patients showed an increases in FIM score of >13 at discharge compared to admission. Better functional recovery was observed in patients with non-traumatic spinal cord lesions, lower neurological levels of the lesion (OR = 6.07), and in patients treated surgically, but the level of the spinal cord lesion was the most influential factor affecting outcome. [Conclusion] the patients with spinal cord lesions should not only be grouped by traumatic and non-traumatic lesions only, but also sub-categorized, according to the etiology, level of injury and treatment method.

Test-retest reliability of the Quebec user evaluation of satisfaction with assistive technology 2.0-Korean version for individuals with spinal cord injury

“…Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most serious injuries of the central nervous system, resulting in severe disabilities that affect independent functional activities in the individual’s personal and social life 1 , 2 ) . Most individuals with SCI generally rely on assistive technology (AT) as the primary means of accomplishing functional activities (e.g., standing and walking at home and outside).…”

Intramedullary Lesion Length on Postoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging is a Strong Predictor of ASIA Impairment Scale Grade Conversion Following Decompressive Surgery in Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

“…1 Each year, 12 000 to 20 000 people sustain SCI in North America, and almost 2.5 million people worldwide live with SCI, experiencing immense personal, psychosocial, social, and financial burden. 2–7 Nearly half of the victims of SCI suffer a complete deficit, and one-third remain tetraplegic for life.…”

Effect of oscillating electrical field stimulation on motor function recovery and myelin regeneration after spinal cord injury in rats

“…Common methods used to evaluate function and tissue recovery include behavioral assessment, histological analysis, and electrophysiological monitoring, among others. Accurate, reliable, and suitable methods should be selected to assess the success of function and tissue recovery after SCI occurs 15 ) .…”