Rehabilitation outcome in people with spinal cord injuries resulting from diving in South Korea.

Retrospective electronic medical record review combined with a telephone interview. The purpose of this study was to describe the neurological and socio-professional outcomes of patients with diving injuries of the cervical spine. A tertiary hospital and its affiliated rehabilitation hospital in South Korea. Electronic medical records were reviewed for medical and neurological information. Telephone interviews were then conducted with questionnaire regarding specific circumstances at the time of injury and social status. A total of 33 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) due to diving accidents were analyzed, of which 27 responded to telephone interviews. Thirty-two (97%) participants were men and 27 (81.8%) were younger than 40 years at the time of injury. The American Spinal Injury Association grade A was the most common of all grades in 16 participants (48.5%), whereas C4 was the most common neurologic level of the injury (n = 13, 39.4%). SCI due to diving accidents most commonly occurred in swimming pools in holiday lodges (n = 12, 36.4%). Five out of 13 married couples with motor complete SCI were divorced or separated after injury. Eight persons resumed work or studies after the injury, with a mean return time of 33 (24.4) months. SCI resulting from a diving accident not only causes severe functional impairment but can also result in changes in marital and employment status. This study may be used as a basic source of education and awareness to prevent further SCI due to diving accidents. © 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to International Spinal Cord Society.

Citation

Jae-Hyun Yun, You Gyoung Yi, Jinyoung Lee, Moon Suk Bang. Rehabilitation outcome in people with spinal cord injuries resulting from diving in South Korea. Spinal cord series and cases. 2022 Apr 09;8(1):40

Mesh Tags

PMID: 35397619

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