《Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Theory and Practice》 ›› 2021, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (8): 943-950.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-9771.2021.08.009

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Clinical Characteristics of Old Patients with Spinal Cord Injury

KANG Hai-qiong1,2,ZHOU Hong-jun1,2(),WEI Bo1,2,LIU Gen-lin1,2,ZHENG Ying1,2,ZHANG Ying1,2,HAO Chun- xia1,2,WANG Yi-ji1,2,LU Xiao-lei1,2,YUAN Yuan1,2,MENG Qian-ru1,2   

  1. 1. Capital Medical University School of Rehabilitation Medicine, Beijing 100068, China
    2. Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, Beijing 100068, China
  • Received:2021-03-02 Revised:2021-04-14 Published:2021-08-25 Online:2021-08-25
  • Contact: ZHOU Hong-jun E-mail:zh87569303@qq.com

Abstract:

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of old patients with spinal cord injury. Methods From January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2019, totally 386 old (≥ 60 years) patients with spinal cord injury were enrolled. Their gender, age, etiology, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) and complications were analyzed. Results In the old patients with spinal cord injury, traumatic spinal cord injury was more common in males (71.17%) and non-traumatic spinal cord injury was more common in females (56.19%). Fall on level surface was the most important cause of spinal cord injury both in old men (28.83%) and women (24.76%). Tumor (19.05%) was the most common non-traumatic cause of spinal cord injury in old female patients. Cervical segment (78.46%) was the most common site of injury in old traumatic spinal cord injury, while thoracic segment (52.14%) was the most common site of injury in non-traumatic spinal cord injury. Grade D (38.08%) was the most common AIS grade, followed by grades C (28.76%), A (21.50%), and B (11.66%). Spinal canal stenosis (23.31%) played an important role in the etiology of old spinal cord injury. Neuralgia, venous thrombosis of lower extremities and urinary tract infection were the most common complications in old patients with spinal cord injury. Conclusion Fall on level surface is the leading cause of spinal cord injury in old patients, and the proportion of fall in the etiology of old spinal cord injury tends to increase with age. It is important to take effective measures to avoid falling in the old adults to prevent spinal cord injury.

Key words: aged, spinal cord injury, fall