Objective: To determine frequency and severity of spasticity in spinal cord injury (SCI) patient with reference to type and level of spinal cord injury and different complications.
Methodology: It was a cross sectional study conducted at Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Rawalpindi, Pakistan from July 2012 to June 2013. Using Non probability sampling technique, all patients with spinal cord injury for more than 6 months duration were included in the study. Informed consent was taken from all patients. American SCI classification was used to determine level of SCI and to classify it. Modified Ashworth scale was used to measure and grade spasticity. SPSS v 17 was used to analyze data.
Results: The study included 70 patients. Mean age of presentation was 31±1.39 years. Injury was complete in 56 (80%) patients. Spasticity was present in 38.6% patients. In cervical cord injuries, spasticity was present in 77.8% patients and in incomplete injuries, spasticity was seen in 50% patients.
Conclusion: Spasticity was a frequent complication after SCI. It is more frequent in cervical injuries and incomplete injuries.
Key words: Spinal cord injury, spasticity, Modified Ashworth scale.
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