Physical and social condition of rehabilitated spinal cord injury patients in Japan: a long-term review

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Abstract
In 1983, 28 Rohsai Hospitals in Japan cooperated to study 926 spinal cord injury (SCI) patients to reveal the problems of their rehabilitation. Fifty per cent complained of poor physical condition and were anxious about their health. In addition to complications rising from the SCI, the morbidities of heart disease, diabetes mellitus, liver disease, hypertension and CVA were higher than the Japanese average. It was noted that 1) 44% of tetraplegic patients were confined to living in their home. 2) Ageing exerted a serious influence upon daily life. 3) Crutch gait for patients with paraplegia was not practical. It was also shown that utilisation of automobiles played an important role in extending social activities. For SCI patients, especially those with tetraplegia, it was very difficult to find employment. The rate of employment was only 30% in all and 46% of these were self-employed.