Abstract
Aim: To present neurological and functional outcome in patients one year after spinal cord injury (SCI). Patients and method: Patients with traumatic spinal cord lesion hospitalized at the Spinal Cord Unit in Prague from 2006 to 2012 were examined in regular intervals within one year after the injury.
A total of 113 patients, 87 males and 26 females were included. Neurological examination according to the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) and functional assessment according to the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) was performed.
Results: Patients after complete lesion (74 patients) had the mean increase in the motor score of 3.45 +/- 5.88 points (+/- SD) and patients after incomplete lesion (39 patients) had the mean increase of 12.41 +/- 10.21 points, respectively. The sensory score increased by 7.14 +/- 10.07 points in patients with complete and by 8.46 +/- 16.23 points in patients with incomplete lesion.
The mean increase in SCIM was 41.23 +/- 15.15 points in patients with motor complete lesion and by 55.04 +/- 26.30 points in patients with motor incomplete lesion. Comparing the 1st and 3rd functional assessment, at least one segment neurological level improvement was found in 48.72% of patients.
In 29.73% patients, the initially complete lesion changed to an incomplete lesion (AIS A to AIS B-D), a change from AIS B to AIS C or D was found in 37.5% and a change from AIS C to ASI D in 92.31%. Conclusion: We identified a significant improvement in motor and sensory function in individuals one year after spinal cord injury.
The neurological level of injury and the extent of injury may thus change with time. Improvement in functional abilities is even more obvious.
The results should serve as a guidance for future therapeutic interventions.