SCI Publications

Study of incidence, risk factors, and trends for long-term secondary medical complications after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Data from the National SCI Statistical Center on patients injured 1973-1998 were reviewed. Complications examined included pneumonia/atelectasis, autonomic dysreflexia, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pressure ulcers, fractures, and renal calculi. Pressure ...

Article discusses the incidence and management of associated medical issues in individuals with violence-related spinal cord injury. Penetrating wounds carry a heavy prognosis, and coexisting injuries along with post-traumatic complications increase the likelihood of morbidity and mortality. Changes in prehospital management, emergency department, and acute hospital care are discussed. ...

Study examining characteristics and outcomes of spinal cord injuries (SCI) resulting from gunshot wounds. Demographic, clinical, and outcome data were collected on 49 individuals with gunshot-wound induced SCI who were found in a review of 217 traumatic SCI rehabilitation admissions to a tertiary care hospital during a 5-year period. ...

Study examines admission toxicology (drug and alcohol) screens from 87 consecutive rehabilitation medicine patients diagnosed with acute traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Forty-six patients (53%) presented with positive toxicology screens (alcohol-44%, drug-30%, both-26%). Of patients with positive alcohol screens, 75% met state criteria for intoxication (blood alcohol level 0.08 ...

Five year prospective study identifies and compares the incidence, demographics, neurologic presentation, and functional outcome of individuals with nontraumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) to individuals with traumatic SCI. Of 220 adult SCI admissions at a level I trauma center of a regional SCI model system, 39% were nontraumatic in ...

Article presenting preliminary comparative data on health-related outcomes for people with spinal cord injury (SCI) participating in a pre-paid, risk-based, managed care plan (BCMG, or Boston's Community Medical Group). Participants were 45 persons with SCI who received care from BCMG, and 69 who received health care from other sources. ...

Study of trends in demographics and injury characteristics of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Data are from a consecutive case series of 25,054 persons admitted to Model SCI Care Systems around the United States between 1973 and 1998. Changes and continuities during this period are noted regarding age ...

A retrospective study examined medical records of 42 patients with ventilator dependent C3-4 tetraplegia to compare patient weaning differences related to ventilator tidal volumes. The patients were divided into two groups: those with a large tidal volume (>20 mls/kg of body weight) and a smaller tidal volume ( ...

Study assessing trends in emergency, acute, and surgical management of spinal cord injury (SCI), and examining the relationships between surgery and the occurrence of specific complications (post-operative wound infections, pressure ulcers, deep vein thrombophlebitis, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonia or atelectasis). Data are from the National SCI Model Systems Database, ...

Article provides an overview of colostomies. Pointing to research that shows nearly three-quarters of spinal cord injury (SCI) survivors who have received colostomies have reported an improved quality of life this article explains how the digestive system works, exactly what a colostomy is and what function it serves, and ...

Study examining the influence of demographic factors and injury characteristics on the community reintegration of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Data are from 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, and 20 year follow-up of 3,835 persons with SCI. Factors examined included neurological classification, age, years post-injury, sex, ethnicity, and ...

Study of reproductive health conditions, complications, and behaviors in women with spinal cord injury (SCI). Data are from 472 responses to an extensive questionnaire on gynecological, sexual, obstetrical, and menopausal health issues.

Article presents health care issues related to skin breakdown in spinal cord injury (SCI) survivors. More specifically, this article discusses health issues that increase or decrease the risk of skin problems. The biological role and structure of skin is reviewed. Managable conditions such as diabetes, smoking and edema (swelling) are ...

Article re-analyzing data from a study comparing outcomes for persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) related to firearms versus SCI caused by motor vehicle crashes. The initial analysis of data from 164 men with SCI (77 motor vehicle injuries and 87 firearm injuries) showed little difference on the 3 ...

Article reporting on a survey intended to determine the level of alcohol use and motivation to change drinking habits among persons with recent spinal cord injury (SCI). Data are from a survey of 68 persons with recent SCI during inpatient rehabilitation. It was found that soon after SCI, most ...

Self-directed learning module on the documentation of acute, subacute, and chronic pain. Topics in the module include: self-report tools; physical and functional tools; expert testimony; and medicolegal aspects. This module is part of the chapter on pain in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical ...