Controversy exists regarding the optimal management of acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI), especially those without bone injury. Although surgical decompression is often performed in SCI patients with cervical canal stenosis, efficacy and timing of surgery continues to be a subject of intense debate. In this randomized controlled trial, the investigators compare two strategies: early surgery within 24 hours after admission and delayed surgery following at least 2 weeks of conservative treatment. The purpose of this study is to examine whether early surgery would result in greater improvement in motor function as compared with delayed surgery.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
72
Surgery within 24 hours after admission
Surgery more than 2 weeks after injury
The University of Tokyo
Tokyo, Japan
ASIA motor score
change from baseline to one year in the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor score
Time frame: baseline and one year
the ability to walk without assistance
proportion of patients who regained the ability to walk without assistance
Time frame: one year
Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM)
the total score of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (SCIM) version 3
Time frame: one year
Health-related quality of life
SF-36 EQ-5D
Time frame: one year
Neuropathic pain
Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory
Time frame: one year
Walking status
Walking Index for Spinal Cord Injury (WISCI) II
Time frame: one year
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