Cervical spondylosis in paraplegic patients and analysis of the wheelchair driving action: A preliminary communication

Abstract

We investigated cervical spondylotic changes in paraplegic patients by examining the radiographs of their cervical spine. The incidence of cervical spondylosis in these patients was significantly higher than was found in normal control subjects of a matching age. We attributed this finding to the mechanical stress on the cervical spine during wheelchair driving. We then performed a biomechanical analysis using electromyography and goniometer. Paraplegic patients frequently flexed and extended their cervical spine shown by the goniometer, whilst the normal control subjects walked almost without moving their cervical spine. However, the integrated electron myography (IEMG) of the paraplegic patients was not synchronously increased with the integration of goniometer (IGOM) and the IEMG of the normal controls was significantly larger than that found in paraplegic patients on increasing their speed. This was thought to be necessary for steadying the head whilst walking or running.