Spinal cord injury due to fall from electricity poles after electrocution

Pak J Med Sci, 2019 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.35.4.241 · Published: July 1, 2019

Spinal Cord Injury Trauma Rehabilitation

Simple Explanation

This study reports on spinal cord injuries (SCI) resulting from falls from electricity poles after electrocution, focusing on their epidemiology, complications, and rehabilitation outcomes. The research found that such injuries, while rare, are associated with severe complications, including burns and amputations, and patients often experience minimal rehabilitation outcomes compared to those with SCI from other causes. The study highlights the need for clinical guidelines specifically tailored to manage SCI patients injured in this manner, advocating for larger, multicenter trials to better determine their rehabilitation needs.

Study Duration

July 2016 to July 2018

Participants

37 patients who sustained SCI due to fall from electricity poles after electrocution

Evidence Level

Prospective observational study

Key Findings

1
SCI due to falls from electricity poles after electrocution is rare, accounting for 4.58% of SCI patients at the Paraplegic Centre Peshawar during the study period.
2
A significant number of patients had associated complications such as burns (59.4%), pressure ulcers (72.9%), spasticity (83.8%), and neuropathic pain (48.6%).
3
Rehabilitation outcomes, measured by the Spinal Cord Injury Independence Measure (SCIM), were minimal, indicating limited independence achieved by patients with this type of injury.

Research Summary

The study aimed to report the epidemiology, complications, and rehabilitation outcomes of patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI) resulting from falls from electricity poles after electrocution. A prospective observational study was conducted at Paraplegic Centre Peshawar from July 2016 to July 2018, involving 37 patients who sustained SCI due to falls from electricity poles after electrocution. The study concluded that SCI from falls after electrocution is rare but associated with severe complications and minimal rehabilitation outcomes, highlighting the need for targeted clinical guidelines and further research.

Practical Implications

Clinical Guidelines Development

There is a need to develop specific clinical guidelines for managing SCI patients injured due to falls from electricity poles after electrocution.

Targeted Rehabilitation Strategies

Rehabilitation programs should be tailored to address the unique complications associated with electrical injuries and falls, such as burns, amputations, and neuropathic pain.

Increased Safety Measures

Highlight the importance of implementing and enforcing stricter safety measures to prevent electrical accidents and falls from electricity poles, especially among non-professional workers.

Study Limitations

1
The study was conducted in a single clinical setting, making it difficult to control confounding variables.
2
It was challenging to isolate whether SCI occurred due to direct electrical injury or due to the fall.
3
Patients were initially managed in different hospitals with varying protocols, affecting overall outcomes.

Your Feedback

Was this summary helpful?

Back to Spinal Cord Injury