Secondary complications and associated injuries in traumatic and non-traumatic spinal cord injury patients

Abstract

Objective: To assess the occurrence secondary complications and associated injury following spinal cord injury (SCI) during inpatient rehabilitation. Design: retrospective study. Subjects: A total of 441 persons with a spinal cord injury admitted to specialized rehabilitation center. Methods: Clinic for rehabilitation 'Dr M. Zotovic', Belgrade, Serbia, from January 2000 to December 2009. Results: Complications during rehabilitation were reported in 368 (83.4%) patients. Complications during rehabilitation were experienced by 127 (78.4%) patients with non-traumatic SCI(NTSCI) and 241 (86.4%) patients with traumatic SCI (TSCI). The most common complications in both groups were urinary tract infections (47.5% in TSCI and 64.2% in NTSCI patients), spasticity (56.8% in NTSCI and 53.8% in TSCI patients) and decubital ulcers (9.9% in NTSCI and 17.6% in TSCI patients). Associated injuries were present in 110 (24.9%) patients and 331 (75.1%) patients were without them. The most common associated injuries were: head injuries (38.5%), followed by rib injuries (34.4%), injuries of upper and lower extremities (21.9%), injuries of internal organs (4, 4.2%) and pelvic injuries (1, 1%). Associated injuries were found only in traumatic group of patients. Conclusion: Complications are common following spinal cord injury during rehabilitation. They need specific attention after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation.