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Burns after spinal cord injury
C Formal1, C Goodman, B Jacobs
1Spinal Cord Injury Follow-Up Clinic, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
|May 1, 1989
Summary
Spinal cord injury patients are at high risk for burns below the injury level. Education on burn prevention is crucial for individuals with spinal cord injuries to avoid common causes like bathing and heating devices.
Area of Science:
- Medicine
- Neurology
- Rehabilitation
Background:
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to sensory deficits, increasing burn risk.
- Patients with SCI may have impaired temperature sensation below the level of injury.
- Burns are a significant, yet often overlooked, complication in SCI management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the incidence and causes of burn injuries in patients with spinal cord injury.
- To identify common scenarios leading to burns in the SCI population.
- To emphasize the need for targeted patient education regarding burn prevention.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of thirty-five (35) patients with spinal cord injury.
- Analysis of burn injury occurrence, location, and causative factors.
- Statistical analysis to determine the significance of burn location relative to the neurological level of injury.
Main Results:
- All documented burns occurred below the neurological level of the spinal cord lesion (p < .001).
- Identified causes include contact with hot water during bathing/showering, hot food/beverages, and thermal/environmental heating devices.
- The findings highlight a statistically significant association between SCI and burns below the lesion level.
Conclusions:
- Patients with spinal cord injury are highly susceptible to burns in areas with impaired sensation.
- Comprehensive patient education on burn risks and prevention strategies is essential.
- Healthcare providers should proactively address burn risks in the SCI population.