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KMID : 0378019850280040049
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New Medical Journal
1985 Volume.28 No. 4 p.49 ~ p.58
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A Follow-up Study of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury
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Abstract
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The subjects of this study were 36 cases out of 89 cases with spinal cord injury who were discharged from the Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine of the Presbyterian Medical Center in Chonju. Following comprehensive treatment in rehabilitation by the Rehabilitation Team during the period January 1, 1977 to December 31, 1983.
The purpose of this follow-up study was to evaluate the outcome of comprehensive rehabilitation and follow-up care for patients with spinal cord injury and to identify the problems in spinal cord injury rehabilitation.
Among the 36 cases which had been followed-up as of March 1, 1984, 1984, 30 cases were male rand 6 were female with a male: female ratio of 5 : 1. Twelve cases (33.3%) were in the 20-29yr. age group. Seventeen cases (47.2%) were injured in traffic accidents, the most -common cause of spinal cord injury in this study. Eighteen cases (50.0%) were quadriplegic .and 18 cases (50.0%) were paraplegic.
The duration from onset of injury to the most recent follow-up ranged from 4 months to .6 years, 11 months with a mean of 3 years, 11 months.
Decubitus ulcers, the most common complication, were found in 13 cases (36.1%). Five μcases had symptomatic urinary tract infection which was the most common reason for readmission.
Fourteen cases (27.8%) made some modifications of their environment for better wheelchair accessibility, and 14 cases (27.8%) used the beds of the same or similar height, as, their wheelchair seat. For mobility, 27 cases (75.0%) used wheelchairs and. 6 cases (16.7%) could, walk without lower extremity braces.
Sixteen cases (44.4%) achieved independent bladders without any appliance, and 28 cases (77.8%) were independent in bowel management.
While 18 cases (50.0%) were married and 18 cases (50.%) were single at the time of the injury, one separation after a second marriage, among the married, cases and 2 engagements among the single cases were noted. Only 2 cases (5.5%) had jobs, 2 cases (5.5%) were in job training programs and one (2.8%) was in school.
In conclusion, comprehensive treatment in rehabilitation for patients with spinal cord injury is thought to be helpful in the prevention and early treatment of decubitus ulcers and in the improvement of bladder and bowel management. For better rehabilitation of the spinal cord injured, further investment in removal of architectural barriers, education, vocational training and employment are needed.
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