What Researchers Did
Researchers looked back at the medical records of 67 patients with secondary spinal cord injury from neck trauma to understand effective preventive treatments used between 2004 and 2009.
What They Found
The study found that 53.7% of patients (36 out of 67) showed an improvement of one or more grades in neurological function, and 35.8% (24 out of 67) achieved useful recovery, meaning they could walk with or without assistance. These strategies, including medication, early surgery, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy after surgery, were associated with these recovery rates, while 10.4% of patients died and 1.5% worsened.
What This Means for Canadian Patients
For Canadian patients experiencing secondary spinal cord injury due to neck trauma, this study suggests that a combination of treatments, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy after surgery, may improve recovery outcomes. This multi-faceted approach could potentially help patients regain neurological function and mobility.
Canadian Relevance
No direct Canadian connection identified.
Study Limitations
As a retrospective study, this research cannot definitively prove cause and effect between the treatments and patient outcomes, and may be subject to biases from past data collection.