Rehabilitative functional outcome of patients with neoplastic spinal cord compression

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Five year review presents rehabilitation functional outcome of individuals with neoplastic spinal cord compressions. Chart review and survey of patients or families provided data. Spinal cord compression is characterized by pain, weakness, autonomic dysfunction and sensory loss with possible complications of paralysis of muscles related to the level of spinal cord involvement, impairments of bladder, bowel, sexual function and a decrease in functional mobility. In this review, the most common metastasis was to prostate, lung or breast. The most common level of spinal cord involvement was the thoracic spine level. Comprehensive inpatient rehabilitative efforts in this review led to improved patient continence, self care abilities, and mobility. Eighty-four percent of the study patients returned home after rehabilitation. A follow up indicated a maintenance of improved levels of functioning.

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