Abstract
Study design: Retrospective electronic medical record review combined with a telephone interview. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to describe the neurological and socio-professional outcomes of patients with diving injuries of the cervical spine. Setting: A tertiary hospital and its affiliated rehabilitation hospital in South Korea. Methods: Electronic medical records were reviewed for medical and neurological information. Telephone interviews were then conducted with questionnaire regarding specific circumstances at the time of injury and social status. Results: A total of 33 patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) due to diving accidents were analyzed, of which 27 responded to telephone interviews. Thirty-two (97%) participants were men and 27 (81.8%) were younger than 40 years at the time of injury. The American Spinal Injury Association grade A was the most common of all grades in 16 participants (48.5%), whereas C4 was the most common neurologic level of the injury (n = 13, 39.4%). SCI due to diving accidents most commonly occurred in swimming pools in holiday lodges (n = 12, 36.4%). Five out of 13 married couples with motor complete SCI were divorced or separated after injury. Eight persons resumed work or studies after the injury, with a mean return time of 33 (24.4) months. Conclusions: SCI resulting from a diving accident not only causes severe functional impairment but can also result in changes in marital and employment status. This study may be used as a basic source of education and awareness to prevent further SCI due to diving accidents.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 40 |
Journal | Spinal Cord Series and Cases |
Volume | 8 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Dec 2022 |