Half of spinal cord injury patients 'have to make wheelchair repairs'RSS Feed

21 December 2009

Almost half of spinal cord injury patients that use a wheelchair have had to have their wheelchairs repaired, according to recent research.

The study, published this month in the journal Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, found that, over six months, 44.8 per cent of people that have spinal cord injuries and use a wheelchair full-time had to repair their wheelchairs.

Some 8.7 per cent experienced an adverse consequence as a result, such as being late for work or an important appointment, or being stranded.

It was also found that those who have power wheelchairs have to make a "significantly" higher number of repairs and experienced more adverse consequences than those who use manual wheelchairs.

The study suggested that, to reduce the number of repairs and adverse consequences that occur, changes in insurance reimbursement policy need to be made and patients and clinicians need to be educated in how to perform repairs and how to avoid the need for repairs in the first instance.

According to spinal cord injury support website apparelyzed.com, trauma, such as a road accident, fall or sports injury, is a common cause of spinal cord injuries and often results in paralysis known as quadriplegia or paraplegia.

News from Serious Law, specialist spinal injury solicitors. ADNFCR-2547-ID-19522140-ADNFCR