Recovery of ambulation in motor-incomplete tetraplegia.

Abstract

To determine the effect of age and initial neurologic status on recovery of ambulation in patients with motor-incomplete tetraplegia. Inception cohort study. Urban, tertiary care hospital with Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center. One hundred five patients with American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) C or D tetraplegia at admission or within 72 hours of injury. Ambulatory status at time of discharge from inpatient rehabilitation. Ninety-one percent (30/33) of ASIA C patients younger than 50 years of age became ambulatory by discharge, versus 42% (13/31) ASIA C patients age 50 or older (p < .0001). All (41/41) patients initially classified as ASIA D became ambulatory by discharge. For patients with ASIA D tetraplegia, prognosis for recovery of independent ambulation is excellent. For patients with ASIA C tetraplegia, recovery of ambulation is significantly less likely if age is 50 years or older.