Spinal infarction. A follow-up study.

Abstract

Ten patients with spinal cord infarction were followed up after 1 to 27 (median, 3) years to establish the sequelae of the disease in the long term. Eight surviving patients were interviewed about mobility, pain, and activities of daily living. All 8 patients had residual weakness in the legs; 7 of them were able to live at home without professional help. All but 1 suffered from continuous pain, which was not dependent on the degree of weakness. Motor function had improved to some extent in all patients, but pain is a disabling feature in the long term.