Gait recovery in patients with late assessment of incomplete spinal cord injury: A retrospective study in Argentina.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective data analysis study.

OBJECTIVES

To assess gait recovery rates in subjects with motor incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) at the start of rehabilitation and to report their gait performance.

SETTING

Tertiary inpatient Rehabilitation Center in Argentina.

METHODS

The study analyzed data from 143 individuals with traumatic and non-traumatic SCI (AIS/ASIA Impairment Scale C and D) within 90 days of injury, all non-ambulatory upon admission. Gait status at discharge was evaluated using the 6-minute walk test and the Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury II (WISCI II). Statistical evaluations utilized Pearson chi-square and Mann-Whitney U-tests. Approval was obtained from Fleni's Ethics Committee.

RESULTS

Among the 65 patients with AIS C, 69% regained walking function, compared to 87% of the 74 patients with AIS D ( = 0.01). Walkers had a mean total motor score of 67 (±19) versus 51.7 (±25.5) for non-walkers ( = 0.002), and a total pinprick sensation score of 69.8 (± 27.5) vs. 49.5 (± 29) ( = 0.001). Additionally, 54% of AIS C and 86% of AIS D patients aged ≥ 50 regained walking ability; however, age-related differences were statistically significant only in AIS C group ( = 0,015). AIS D patients walked a mean of 249 meters (±134), while AIS C walked 207 meters (±128) ( = 0.07). The median WISCI II score between the two groups were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Most patients with incomplete motor SCI who participated in inpatient rehabilitation regained walking, with motor score and pinprick sensation correlating to walking ability. Gait performance was comparable between AIS C and D.