Functional passive range of motion of individuals with chronic cervical spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE

Functional passive range of motion (PROM) requirements for individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) are clinically accepted despite limited evidence defining the specific PROM needed to perform functional tasks. The objective of this investigation was to better define the minimum PROM needed for individuals with cervical SCI to achieve optimal functional ability, and as a secondary outcome gather self-reported standardized functional data via the Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III), and the Spinal Cord Injury Functional Index (SCI-FI).

DESIGN

Observational cohort.

SETTING

128-bed rehabilitation hospital with inpatient and outpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation programs.

PARTICIPANTS

A convenience sample of 29 community-dwelling individuals with chronic (greater than one year) tetraplegic SCI (C5-8) who use a wheelchair for mobility.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Therapist goniometric measurement of upper and lower extremity PROM, and participant completion of a demographic questionnaire and two functional self-report measures (SCIM-III and SCI-FI) were completed.

RESULTS

Compared to the general population, differences observed in our study participants included limitations in forearm pronation and elbow extension and increased shoulder extension and wrist extension (likely related to prop sitting). Elbow hyperextension was noted in one-third of the participants. Limitations in straight leg raise, hip flexion, abduction, and internal rotation, in combination with increased hip external rotation suggested these individuals with cervical SCI potentially completed activities of daily living (ADLs) in frog-sitting, rather than long-sitting. Ankle plantarflexion contractures were found in many participants. Shoulder horizontal adduction, elbow extension, hip flexion, knee flexion, ankle plantarflexion, and forefoot eversion ROM were associated with functional performance.

CONCLUSION

Based on our results healthcare providers should work with individuals with cervical SCI to develop long term PROM plans to optimize functional abilities.