Journal
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
Volume 13, Issue 3, Pages -Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/jpm13030394
Keywords
mixed methods; tetraplegia; upper extremity surgery; peers; cognitive demands
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Cervical spinal cord injury causing tetraplegia is highly disabling and restoring upper extremity function is considered a priority. Early nerve transfer procedures and traditional tendon transfers need to be considered for surgical interventions. The study emphasizes the need for reevaluation of clinical assessment and selection processes due to the complex challenges faced by individuals with spinal cord injuries.
Cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) causing tetraplegia is extremely disabling. In such circumstances, restoration of upper extremity (UE) function is considered the highest priority. The advent of early nerve transfer (NT) procedures, in addition to more traditional tendon transfers (TT), warranted in-depth consideration given the time-limited nature of NT procedures. Potential surgery candidates may not yet have come to terms with the permanence of their disability. A mixed methods convergent design was utilized for concurrent analysis of the Aotearoa/New Zealand upper limb registry data from the clinical assessments of all individuals considering UE surgery, regardless of their final decision. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) taxonomy guided data interpretation during the three-phased study series. It was the integration of the findings using the Stewart Model of care drawn from palliative health that enabled the interpretation of higher order messages. It is clear the clinical assessment and selection processes in use require reconsideration given the complexities individuals face following onset of SCI. We draw attention to the higher order cognitive demands placed on individuals, the requirement for SCI peer involvement in decision making and the need for acknowledgment of interdependence as a relational construct when living with tetraplegia.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available