Importance of musculoskeletal pain in patients with spinal cord injury

Abstract

Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) is a group with impaired walking ability had risk of injury to musculoskeletal system. This impairment is mostly permanent that affect to physical and mental health of patients in long term. To date, there is a limited information about the musculoskeletal pain in ambulatory patients with SCI. Thus, the objective of this study was aimed to investigate proportion of musculoskeletal pain and the correlation between severity of musculoskeletal pain and stress in ambulatory patients with SCI. Thirty-six patients with SCI who could ambulate independently with or without walking devices. All of participants were evaluated about their demographic musculoskeletal pain and stress by the Standard Nordic questionnaire and Suanprung Stress Test-20 (SPST-20) respectively. Results demonstrated that 72% of populations were reported musculoskeletal pain and also found that musculoskeletal pain was significantly related to stress (r = 0.536, p < 0.05). Findings indicated that musculoskeletal pain in ambulatory patients with SCI is important problem. Therefore, medical personnel should seek preventive and therapeutic approach for reduce negative impact in these patients.