Spinal cord injury in an inner city hospital

During the first six years of existence of the rehabilitation unit in a black inner city major municipal hospital, 53 patients with spinal cord injury were admitted. A retrospective study of these patients sought answers to questions concerning etiology, patient characteristics, services provided and method of delivery, and advantages and disadvantages of rehabilitation in a community hospital. Findings revealed differences in causation of spinal cord injury between women and men and between patients with paraplegia and quadriplegia. tthe male paraplegic patients were the youngest; their life style led to spinal cord injury. Social factors such as inadequate housing, lack of transportation, and insufficient financial resources were deterrents to rehabilitation. An approach that emphasized consideration of all the psychosocial factors was developed. Evaluation and treatment were extended into the community. Lack of peer groups and multiphasic programs were the major disadvantages.