Outcomes and Complications of Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury in the Thoracolumbar Region

Background and Aim: Improvement of neurological disorders in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI) remains an important issue worldwide. This study aimed to explore the outcomes and complications of patients with incomplete SCI in the thoracolumbar region within one year after trauma. Methods and Materials/Patients: In this longitudinal prospective study, patients with traumatic incomplete SCI were studied. The demographic and clinical variables including age, sex, site of injury, motor force, sensory disorder, and sphincter dysfunction were recorded on admission and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after discharge. SPSS software, version 28 was used for data analysis. Results: Out of 120 patients with incomplete SCI, 100 patients were included. The mean age of the participants was 32.39±7.47 years and the mean duration of hospitalization was 14.78±3.81 days. The most common injury site was T12-L1 (43%). Over time, the average motor force of patients increased. The lowest and highest averages were observed during hospitalization and 12 months after discharge, respectively. No significant difference was observed in the paired comparison of motor force at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months after discharge. The frequency of sensory disorders decreased over time. The highest and lowest frequencies belonged to the hospitalization time (81%) and 12 months after discharge (9%). No significant difference was observed between the time intervals of 6, 9, and 12 months, as well as the time of hospitalization and discharge. Over time, the frequency of sphincter dysfunction decreased. Pulmonary infection (12%) and bed sores (9%) were the complications observed during hospitalization. Complications observed 12 months after admission were bed sores (21%) and venous thrombosis (17%). Conclusion: The highest recovery rate of motor force was recorded within the first three months. The frequency of sensory and sphincter disturbances in patients decreased over time with the highest recovery rate during the first six months after the injury.