Influences of paralympic sport on the incidence of elbow Osteoarthrities in the spinal cord injured pacients

Abstract

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a disease that fully or partially prevents the transit of nerve impulses and causes muscle function and sensory loss below the level of the injury. It comes from heterogeneous reasons, with trauma being the most common. The cases have been increasing over time due to the fact that there is a greater preparation of the prehospital care to receive patients in polytrauma and the subsequent survival of these patients. Besides that accidents with motor vehicles and injuries due to firearms and falls from height are more frequent today. The aim of this study is to investigate through the interpretation of radiographs and physical examination the impact of paralympic sport in elbows' patient. Ten tetraplegic athletes and 10 tetraplegic non-athletes were selected. A bilateral evaluation of the elbows of each patient by X-ray and muscle strength evaluation (0-5) according to criteria of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA). According to previous works, there are radiographic changes in the elbow, decrease in muscle strength and range of motion of spinal cord injured, by virtue of an overloading of upper limbs. However, the hypothesis of this project is a decrease in the incidence of osteoarthritis in the athletes group, as well as the improvement of muscle performance. Osteoarthritis is a comorbidity that weakens the injured spinal cord individuals on its daily activities and the quality of life. Therefore, early diagnosis is essential for patient evolution. In addition, the project is linked to an international collaboration with Vrije University Amsterdam and Inholland University. (FAPESP - 2016/50253-0)