A new prediction rule developed in the Netherlands is able to reliably predict a patient's ability to walk after traumatic spinal cord injury, according to a study published in The Lancet.
The new prediction rule includes gauging the patient's age with scores from four neurological tests. The rule can be used to set rehabilitation goals and may be able to stratify patients in interventional trials, according to the study's abstract.
The researchers examined 1,442 patients who underwent traumatic spinal cord injury, 492 of which had measurable outcomes. The patients were evaluated within 15 days of the injury and again at the one-year follow-up.
A combination of age, motor scores and light touch sensation of dermatomes L3 and S1 showed significant discrimination in distinguishing independent walkers from dependent walkers and non-walkers. Temporal validation in 99 patients confirmed the ability of the prediction rule.
Read the abstract for the study about the prediction rule for spinal cord injury.
Read other coverage on spine surgery research:
- Spine Surgery Research: 3 Areas of Focus
- Cleveland Clinic Researchers Study Spine and Neck Activity During Concussion
- Spine Surgery Research Update: Lumbar Spine Treatment
The new prediction rule includes gauging the patient's age with scores from four neurological tests. The rule can be used to set rehabilitation goals and may be able to stratify patients in interventional trials, according to the study's abstract.
The researchers examined 1,442 patients who underwent traumatic spinal cord injury, 492 of which had measurable outcomes. The patients were evaluated within 15 days of the injury and again at the one-year follow-up.
A combination of age, motor scores and light touch sensation of dermatomes L3 and S1 showed significant discrimination in distinguishing independent walkers from dependent walkers and non-walkers. Temporal validation in 99 patients confirmed the ability of the prediction rule.
Read the abstract for the study about the prediction rule for spinal cord injury.
Read other coverage on spine surgery research:
- Spine Surgery Research: 3 Areas of Focus
- Cleveland Clinic Researchers Study Spine and Neck Activity During Concussion
- Spine Surgery Research Update: Lumbar Spine Treatment