Traumatic Spinal Cord Injuries in a Teaching Hospital in Manipur: An Epidemiological Study


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Volume :

3

Issue :

2

Abstract :

Background: Spinal cord injuries (SCI) carry significant impact physically, socially, psychologically and emotionally to the individual and to the society. Risk factors involved, mode of injuries, constraints of management and rehabilitation are different in developing regions. Aims & Objectives: The current study was aimed to find out the spinal cord injury patient load in the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), which was a teaching medical college in the State of Manipur and also to find out the preventable risk factors associated with spinal cord injuries. Methods: Spinal cord injuries presented in RIMS, Imphal during the period 2011-13 were evaluated prospectively. Demographic details, aetiology of injury, initial treatment before referral, method and time taken for transportation and progression of recovery were recorded. Results: A total of 52 SCI cases attended RIMS during the two years of study. Most commonly involved age-group was 20-40 years with a male: female ration of 3:1. Fall-related injuries were the most common mode of injury (48.08%). All the patients were transported to hospital without proper immobilization and unattended by trained paramedics in vehicles not suitable for transporting SCI patients. Conclusion: SCI is a serious condition, resulting to severe disability or death. Patients who survive often have multiple complications. Yet, the problem of SCI is still not adequately addressed by the existing medical and public health system. There is a strong need to identify risk factors and to take up steps to control them by disseminating information to masses, to train paramedics in rural areas about the initial handling and transportation of suspected SCI patients. Trauma evacuation protocols need to be developed and pre-hospital care of suspected SCI cases need to be developed.

Keyword :

Age-wise incidence, Risk factors, Spinal cord injury.
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