Patterns and predictors of functional recovery from the subacute to the chronic phase following a traumatic spinal cord injury: a prospective study.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the extent of functional recovery between 6 and 12 months following a traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) and to identify individuals achieving a small clinical functional improvement during this period.

SETTING

A single level-1 trauma center specialized in SCI care.

METHODS

A cohort of 125 patients sustaining TSCI was studied. The Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) version III at 6 and 12 months post injury was used as the main outcome measure.

RESULTS

The observed functional improvement for the final cohort did not reach a clinically significant level between 6 and 12 months post injury. However, 30.4% of individuals achieved this level (≥4 points in the SCIM-III total score). This group showed a higher proportion of motor-complete TSCI (AIS grade A or B) and showed a tendency toward older age and higher trauma severity. Longer duration of intensive functional rehabilitation was the single factor associated with reaching a small clinically important improvement in the SCIM-III total score.

CONCLUSIONS

Functional status between 6 and 12 months following a TSCI may be considered clinically similar, regardless of the level of injury. However, 30% may reach a small clinical functional improvement in the subacute to chronic phase following TSCI, particularly individuals sustaining severe deficits and older age, which may highlight the importance of functional compensation during this period for these patients.