NEUROLOGICAL IMPROVEMENT AFTER CERVICAL TRACTION IN PATIENTS WITH CERVICAL SPINE INJURY
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Abstract
Objective: To estimate frequency of neurological improvement after cervicaltraction in patients with cervical spine injury.
Methodology: This observational study was conducted at Department of Neurosurgery, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar - Pakistan from December2010 to November 2011. The medical record of all cases, in which cervicaltraction was applied for cervical spine injury, was checked from record room.Documentation was done according to proforma designed, indicating age,sex, neurological status before and after cervical traction and investigationswith findings on X-rays, CT and MRI. The data was analyzed from differentangles in SPSS software.
Results: A total of 30 patients were included in this study. There were 20 malesand 10 females. The age of the patients ranged from 13 to 80 years (mean=31.07±15.45). Majority of the patients (83.3%) were young, in the age rangeof 13- 40 years. Neurological improvement was noted in 14 (46.7%) patients.It was more in age group of 13-20 years (66.7%) and in those who presentedwith weakness of Frankle grade "B" and "C" (66.7% each). The improvementwas more in patients in whom anatomical alignment of spine was achieved.
Conclusion: Skeletal cervical traction is safe and effective means of early decompressionof spinal cord with neurological improvement. It is more effectivein young individuals and those presenting with Frankle grade B and C weakness.
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