Document Detail


Restoration of walking function in an individual with chronic complete (AIS A) spinal cord injury.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20809063     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
OBJECTIVE: The prognosis for further recovery of motor function 2 years after complete spinal cord injury is poor. This case report describes recovery of walking function in an a 33-year old man two years post T7 spinal cord injury American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A following intensive physical therapy and robotic locomotor training.
DESIGN: Case report.
METHODS: The subject engaged in an intensive clinic-based physical therapy program and research-based robotic locomotor training study over a 7-month period. Physical therapy was initiated 4 months prior to entry into the research study, and targeted trunk control, upper extremity strength, and upright mobility. On initial entry into the robotic locomotor training study the subject's AIS A classification was substantiated. Initial, interim, and follow-up tests of sensation, strength, sitting balance, spasticity, and mobility were performed.
RESULTS: Lower extremity motor scores improved from 0/50 to 4/50, bilateral hip flexors increased from grade 0/5 to 2/5, warranting injury re-classification from American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A to C. Intensive physical therapy combined with robotic locomotor training was associated with restoration of short distance walking function with lower extremity braces and a walker.
CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first report of an individual with chronic spinal cord injury American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale A improving in over-ground walking ability following intensive physical therapy and robotic locomotor training. The presence of a neurophysiologically discomplete lesion probably permitted training of operational neural pathways and enabled the development of useful voluntary movement.
Authors:
Kathleen J Manella; Juana Torres; Edelle C Field-Fote
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Case Reports; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of rehabilitation medicine : official journal of the UEMS European Board of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine     Volume:  42     ISSN:  1651-2081     ISO Abbreviation:  J Rehabil Med     Publication Date:  2010 Sep 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-09-02     Completed Date:  2010-09-10     Revised Date:  2011-03-30    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  101088169     Medline TA:  J Rehabil Med     Country:  Sweden    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  795-8     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Coral Gables, Florida, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Adult
Humans
Lower Extremity / physiopathology
Male
Physical Therapy Modalities
Recovery of Function
Robotics
Spinal Cord Injuries / physiopathology,  rehabilitation*
Time Factors
Treatment Outcome
Walking / physiology*
Comments/Corrections
Comment In:
J Rehabil Med. 2011 Mar;43(4):367; author reply 367-8   [PMID:  21327323 ]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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