Changes in skills required for using a manual wheelchair after reconstructive hand surgery in tetraplegia.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2340/16501977-0840Keywords:
spinal cord injuries, tetraplegia, hand surgery, wheelchair manoeuvrability.Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to document prospectively the changes in function that can affect the skills required to use a manual wheelchair after reconstructive hand and arm surgery in individuals with tetraplegia. DESIGN: Case series. The tests were conducted preoperatively and 12 months postoperatively. PATIENTS: Sixteen individuals who underwent a total of 23 grip/elbow extension reconstructions and who used a manual wheelchair as their main form of transport were included. METHODS: Functional tests of wheelchair control were performed. The tests addressed 8 aspects of manoeuvring a wheelchair. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent of the individuals improved their manoeuvring skills after hand surgery. Improvements were also observed in the ability successfully to perform tests that were impossible to perform before surgery. The type of reconstruction and level of injury affected the outcome. CONCLUSION: The improvement in wheelchair propulsion ability after reconstructive hand and arm surgery in individuals with tetraplegic spinal cord injury implies increased mobility, which can help individuals to live a more active life.Downloads
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
All digitalized JRM contents is available freely online. The Foundation for Rehabilitation Medicine owns the copyright for all material published until volume 40 (2008), as from volume 41 (2009) authors retain copyright to their work and as from volume 49 (2017) the journal has been published Open Access, under CC-BY-NC licences (unless otherwise specified). The CC-BY-NC licenses allow third parties to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format and to remix, transform, and build upon the material for non-commercial purposes, provided proper attribution to the original work.
From 2024, articles are published under the CC-BY licence. This license permits sharing, adapting, and using the material for any purpose, including commercial use, with the condition of providing full attribution to the original publication.
