Purpose: To review the evidence for interventions in peer-reviewed published literature for reconstructive surgical procedures in the upper extremity for persons with tetraplegia following spinal cord injury (SCI). Method: A critical review and synthesis of articles addressing reconstructive surgical procedures was conducted. Each article was assessed for quality using the Downs and Black evaluation tool. Following this, a level of evidence using a modified Sackett scale was assigned to each intervention within these categories. Results: Each of the surgical procedures reviewed had numerous pre-post or case series studies that provide level 4 evidence (grade C) to support the use of reconstructive surgical procedures in improving upper extremity motor and functional use of the limb in individuals with tetraplegia following an SCI. Conclusion: There is evidence that reconstructive surgical procedures enhance upper extremity function for persons with tetraplegia. Although there is a need for higher quality evidence through improved study designs, there are both ethical and logistical constraints that present challenges in studying this population.
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Research Article|
July 06 2007
Enhancing Upper Extremity Function with Reconstructive Surgery in Persons with Tetraplegia: A Review of the Literature
Connolly;
Connolly
1
St. Joseph’s Health Care London, Parkwood Hospital, London, Ontario, Canada.
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Aubut;
Aubut
2
Rehabilitation and Geriatric Care Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, Ontario, Canada.
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Teasell;
Teasell
3
Parkwood Hospital, St. Joseph’s Health Care, Rehabilitation and Geriatric Care Program, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Schulich School of Medicine, Lawson Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
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Jarus
Jarus
4
Occupation Therapy Division, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil (2007) 13 (1): 58–80.
Citation
Connolly, Aubut, Teasell, Jarus; Enhancing Upper Extremity Function with Reconstructive Surgery in Persons with Tetraplegia: A Review of the Literature. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil 1 July 2007; 13 (1): 58–80. doi: https://doi.org/10.1310/sci1301-58
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