Supporting Patient Decisions about Upper Extremity Surgery in Cervical Spinal Cord Injury
Abstract
Purpose: To define and communicate information about upper extremity (UE) function in spinal cord injury (SCI). Scope: Review information about spontaneous recovery and prospectively investigate recovery with and without surgical intervention. Major Findings: Existing information about recovery after SCI is heterogeneous and complex; predicting motor recovery overtime is possible. Surgical and non-surgical participants and caregivers need individualized approaches to optimize information gathering. Results: 1. The European Multicenter SCI database includes information on more than 500 people with cervical level SCI. Post-injury function predicts degree of motor recovery at 6-12 months post-SCI, which is critical to surgical decision making for people considering nerve transfer surgery. 2. SCI stakeholders note that people choosing/not choosing to undergo surgery have very specific reasons and priorities for their care that are likely under-recognized by surgeons and other health care providers. 3. Caregivers are under-recognized for the demands/stressors/concerns they might have. Significance: Based on preliminary concerns about caregiver burden and other experiences posed by the advisory board, the principal investigator has modified her clinical practice to improve the perioperative planning process for people undergoing surgery and their caregivers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1064661
Entities
People
- Ida K. Fox
Organizations
- Washington University in St. Louis