@article{16055,
  author = {Harvey L. and Kwah L. and Eyles J. and Ling M. and Ben M. and Herbert Rob and Diong Joanna},
  title = {Incidence and predictors of contracture after spinal cord injury-a prospective cohort study},
  abstract = {<p>
Study design:Prospective cohort study.Objectives:To determine incidence of contracture and develop prediction models to identify patients susceptible to contracture after spinal cord injury.Setting:Two Sydney spinal cord injury units.Methods:A total of 92 consecutive patients with acute spinal cord injury were assessed within 35 days of injury and 1 year later. Incidence of contracture at 1 year was measured in all major appendicular joints by categorizing range of motion on a 4-point scale (0-no contracture to 3-severe contracture), and in the wrist, elbow, hip and ankle by measuring range of motion at standardized torque. Multivariate models were developed to predict contracture at 1 year using age, neurological status, spasticity, pain and limb fracture recorded at the time of injury.Results:At 1 year, 66% of participants developed at least one contracture (defined as &gt;/=1 point deterioration on the 4-point scale). Incidence of contracture at each joint was: shoulder 43%, elbow and forearm 33%, wrist and hand 41%, hip 32%, knee 11% and ankle 40%. Incidence of contracture determined by standardized torque measures of range (defined as loss of &gt;/=10 degrees) was: elbow 27%, wrist 26%, hip 23% and ankle 25%. Prediction models were statistically significant but lacked sufficient predictive accuracy to be clinically useful (R(2)<!--=31%).Conclusion:The incidence of contracture in major joints 1 year after spinal cord injury ranges from 11-43%. The ankle, wrist and shoulder are most commonly affected. It is difficult to accurately predict those susceptible to contracture soon after injury.-->
</p>
},
  year = {2012},
  journal = {Spinal Cord},
  volume = {50},
  edition = {2012/03/28},
  number = {8},
  pages = {579-84},
  isbn = {1476-5624 (Electronic)1362-4393 (Linking)},
  note = {Diong, JHarvey, L AKwah, L KEyles, JLing, M JBen, MHerbert, R DEnglandSpinal Cord. 2012 Aug;50(8):579-84. doi: 10.1038/sc.2012.25. Epub 2012 Mar 27.},
  language = {eng},
}