The effect of surgical intervention on rehabilitation time in patients with thoracolumbar and lumbar spinal cord injuries. |
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Authors: | R L Rimoldi J E Zigler D A Capen S S Hu |
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Institution: | Spinal Injury Service, Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center, Downey, California. |
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Abstract: | One hundred forty-seven patients with unstable low thoracic and lumbar fractures were examined. All patients had significant neurologic injuries. Ninety-one patients exhibited incomplete lesions whereas fifty-six had complete lesions. Age, sex, cause of injury, fracture location, fracture mechanism, and complications were recorded and analyzed. The average follow-up was 25 months (range 2-148). Incomplete neurologic lesions demonstrated a significant increase in ASIA motor points if both decompression and stabilization were performed at the same operative sitting. When decompression was performed before stabilization a decrease in improvement was noted. Patients with complete lesions demonstrated a significant reduction in rehabilitation time if stabilization was augmented with sublaminar wires rather than Drummond wires or Harrington rods alone. |
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