[Spinal cord injury: still an interdisciplinary challenge [corrected]]

Spinal cord injuries with symptoms of paraplegia remain incurable even 5000 years after the first description. However, the treatment of the residual paralysis and sensory deficits at the level of or below the spinal injury has made great progress.

This study involved a selective literature review with an emphasis on historical development, epidemiology, classification, acute and secondary rehabilitation after spinal cord injury with specific aspects of hand surgery in tetraplegia, decubitus treatment and urological specialist care, taking the experiences in a specialized center for spinal cord injuries into account.

Modern comprehensive management started in the 1940s led by Sir Ludwig Guttmann. Early operative decompression and stabilization of spinal injuries is safe and can reduce secondary damage to the spinal cord but definitive evidence is lacking. Operative approaches provide advantages for the patient compared to conservative therapy, e.g. being able to be immediately transferred to a specialized center. Epidemiologically, the proportion of women and the average age has increased during the past decades, as well as the percentage of patients with tetraplegia. Common sequelae of spinal cord injuries include disorders of the digestive and urogenital system, autonomic regulation, chronic pain as well as swallowing and breathing restrictions. Frequent complications, such as thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, heterotopic ossification, decubitus ulcers, contractures, neuropathic pain and spasticity can impede rehabilitation. The general objective of rehabilitation and life-long care of patients with spinal cord injuries is to achieve the greatest possible autonomy, mobility, integration, employability and quality of life. A partial recovery of arm and grip function by surgical muscle or nerve transposition, joint stabilization and tenodesis can reliably support these goals in approximately 70 % of patients with tetraplegia.

Spinal cord injuries require holistic interdisciplinary therapy from the beginning and regular life-long comprehensive and specific orthopedic examinations are also required to maintain the best possible level of independence.