AN EVALUATION OF THE FACTORS AFFECTING NEUROLOGICAL RECOVERY FOLLOWING SPINAL-CORD INJURY

We reviewed 71 consecutive spinal cord injuries to determine the facto rs influencing neurological recovery. Sixty-three (35 tetraplegics and 28 paraplegics) were available for follow-up at a mean of 29.6 months . The American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scoring system was use d on admission and at follow-up to determine change in neurological st atus. Treatment with corticosteroids or surgical intervention had no s ignificant effect on outcome. Tetraplegics, both complete and incomple te, had a significantly better outcome than paraplegics (p<0.02). inco mplete cord injury carried a better prognosis of motor recovery (p<0.0 001). Pattern of injury was an important determinant of recovery in th e complete tetraplegia group. We conclude that many factors influence recovery following spinal cord injury and the effect of treatment may be difficult to demonstrate. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.