Retrospective epidemiological study and rehabilitation benefit of patient with sub-axial cervical spine injuries in western India

Abstract

Study design: Retrospective study.Purpose: to extract epidemiological data related to sub-axial cervical spine injury managed at our spine institute and evaluate outcome with rehabilitation protocol.Overview of literature: sub-axial cervical spine injuries are very serious injuries in all spinal injuries and usually associated with SCI or with neurological deficit and have highest morbidity and mortality in all type of spinal injuries.Method: Total of 142 patients study included who were admitted with sub-axial cervical (C3-C7) spine injury our spine institute western India from period of Feb 2018 to December 2019 and managed conservatively or operative manner and Rehabilitation protocol were given. Detailed information on epidemiological study was analyzed based on the medical records of patients and follow-up and final outcome evaluated.Results: most common age group was 30-50 yrs.48%, 94% male and 6% female with male to female ratio of 14:1. The commonest mode of trauma was fall from height 56% followed by 37% of RTA, 77% were laborers, average admission delay was 6.1 days, admission to surgery delay was 2.3 days, 53% had incomplete & 44% complete neurological deficit, 73% had involvement of bladder/ bowel, 74%were managed conservative while 26% operated, 6% had other associated injuries, 86% had received complete rehabilitation protocol, average hospital stay around 26 days, and significant improvement in ASIA score with rehabilitation protocol.Conclusion: This study evaluate epidemiological data and burden of sub-axial cervical spine injury in community, so improving awareness, infrastructure build up and early recognition and proper management and rehabilitation protocol have high chances of improvement with low mortality or morbidity.