Article

This was a retrospective observational study.The
objectives were to describe the prognosis of upper extremity function following
cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI), and to identify prognostic factors for
functional recovery.Setting:Spinal Injuries Center, Japan.Methods:Sixty patients
with C3-4 CSCI without major bone injury participated in the study. Patients were
treated nonsurgically and evaluated using the American Spinal Injury Association
(ASIA) scales for the upper and lower extremities, their residual cervical motor
functions, the modified Frankel grade and an upper extremity function scale. We
compared the findings for the upper extremity function scale at 6 months with
those for the residual cervical motor functions and modified Frankel grade
obtained 3 days after injury.Results:Most patients with CSCI who could flex their
hip and knee from a supine position (95%) or who showed some active elbow
extension (86%) 3 days after their injury could use a spoon at 6 months. We
compared patients who used their fingers at 6 months to those who could not, and
observed significant differences in age and ASIA scores for the upper and lower
extremities obtained 3 days after injury. A strong correlation was observed
between the initial motor scores and the extent of functional recovery at 6
months.Conclusion:Hip and knee flexion from the supine position and elbow
extension 3 days after injury significantly predicted a positive prognosis for
upper extremity function. Younger age and higher ASIA motor scores obtained 3
days after injury were factors associated with neurological recovery.

Langue : ANGLAIS