Prevention of long-term immobilization in treatment of cervical spinal cord injuries

Abstract

Prolonged immobilization results in many complications which are particularly serious and pronounced in patients with severe cervical spinal cord injury. Two groups of cervical spinal cord injured patients, one with complete and the other with incomplete paralysis, were allocated to one of two treatment groups. One group was conservatively treated, usually by skull traction and passive standing followed by a delayed intensive rehabilitation programme; the other group was treated surgically within the first few days after injury, followed by immediate attempts at gradual passive standing and an early active rehabilitation programme. Better neurological and functional outcome, a smaller number of complications and shorter hospitalization time were recorded in those in the surgically treated group. This study confirms the importance of active early mobilization.

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