Contracture after Spinal Cord Injury - A Prospective Cohort Study

The aims of this study are to describe the time course of contracture and investigate factors that might predict contracture in people with spinal cord injury. This is the first study to investigate incidence and predictive factors of contracture prospectively.

This study is important because it will identify the incidence of contracture, and what factors might place individuals more at risk of developing contracture.

Methods

This will be a prospective cohort study of patients presenting to two main spinal centres in NSW with an acute spinal cord injury. Joint range of movement will be measured initially and reassessed over time. Measures of factors that might predict contracture will also be taken.

Status

Recruitment commenced in December 2008.