A retrospective study of surgical treatment of spinal injuries with rehabilitation program

Abstract

Introduction: Traumatic injuries of the spinal column are among the most devastating injuries in orthopedics. The primary goals of rehabilitation of these injuries are prevention of secondary complications, maximizing physical functioning and reintegration into the community. Rehabilitation after spinal injury reqires multidisciplinary team approach. Team members include, but are not limited to, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nurses, psychologists, health care managers and social workers, with each member having role and responsibility in their area of expertise. This study aimed to determine the difference in the occurrence of spinal injuries according to gender, age, cause of injury, neurological phenomenon in injured patients, the treatment and physical procedures used in the early stages of rehabilitation.
Methods: The study was conducted as a retrospective and comparative at the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of Clinical Center University of Sarajevo. Medical records of 100 patients, treated at from January 1st 2007 till June 30th 2008, were processed and data about outpatient protocols and surgery protocols analyzed.
Results: The results obtained from the data showed greater proportion of women (56%) compared to men (44%). Most patients were in the age group between 41 and 60. Injuries were most often due to falls from height and make 32%, fall from a tree 25%, traffic accidents 12% (²=17.94, p=0.0061). 88% of patients were without neurologic events, while the neurological disturbances occurred 12% (χ²=3.397, p=0.3343). 56% of patients with spinal injuries were treated surgically, while 41% were treated conservatively (χ ²=7.264, p= 0.00153). 73% patient had physical therapy program of early rehabilitation exercises, with at least at least only a massage in 4% of patients X² = 6.573, p = 0.04270).
Conclusion: The adoption of national protocols is necessary for future treatment of patients with spinal fractures.