Overview
This study aims to determine the relationship between upper extremity pathologies and demographic data, duration of manual wheelchair use, duration of injury, physical examination and musculoskeletal ultrasound measurements in patients with spinal cord injuries.
Description
Spinal cord injury is a neurological condition that can result from traumatic or non-traumatic causes, leading to motor, sensory and autonomic dysfunctions. Following a spinal cord injury, the upper extremity becomes increasingly used for mobility, weight-bearing, and transfer activities, making functionality crucial in daily life. Wheelchairs, commonly used by individuals with spinal cord injuries for daily activities, can lead to injuries and pain or degeneration in the upper extremities due to repetitive transfer activities. As a result, individuals with spinal cord injuries are at high risk for shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand injuries. Neuromuscular ultrasound (NMUS) has become increasingly important in clinical use in the evaluation of peripheral nerves and muscles in patients with spinal cord injuries in recent years, due to the advantages of ultrasonography such as providing dynamic and real-time evaluation, not containing radiation, and being painless.
This study aims to determine the relationship between upper extremity pathologies and demographic data, duration of manual wheelchair use, duration of injury, physical examination and musculoskeletal ultrasound measurements in patients with spinal cord injuries.
Eligibility
Inclusion Criteria:
- Patients who have experienced spinal cord injury, can comply with two-stage verbal commands, voluntarily agree to participate in the study and are medically stable.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Tetraplegia
- A significant comorbid condition such as severe heart disease and uncontrolled hypertension.
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Active infection
- Malignancy
- History of trauma to the upper extremity
- Brachial plexus and peripheral nerve injury
- History of surgery on the upper extremity