Investigation of Upper Extremity Pathologies and Associated Factors in Patients With Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injury is a neurological condition that can result from traumatic or non-traumatic causes, leading to motor, sensory and autonomic dysfunctions. Following a spinal cord injury, the upper extremity becomes increasingly used for mobility, weight-bearing, and transfer activities, making functionality crucial in daily life. Wheelchairs, commonly used by individuals with spinal cord injuries for daily activities, can lead to injuries and pain or degeneration in the upper extremities due to repetitive transfer activities. As a result, individuals with spinal cord injuries are at high risk for shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand injuries. Neuromuscular ultrasound (NMUS) has become increasingly important in clinical use in the evaluation of peripheral nerves and muscles in patients with spinal cord injuries in recent years, due to the advantages of ultrasonography such as providing dynamic and real-time evaluation, not containing radiation, and being painless.

This study aims to determine the relationship between upper extremity pathologies and demographic data, duration of manual wheelchair use, duration of injury, physical examination and musculoskeletal ultrasound measurements in patients with spinal cord injuries.