Perceptions of people with tetraplegia regarding surgery to improve upper-extremity function.
OBJECTIVE
In the United States, more than 100,000 Americans live with the disability of tetraplegia. These individuals must struggle through long and complicated rehabilitations. Upper-extremity reconstructive surgery can improve use of the upper limb for appropriate candidates; however, a prior national study showed that these procedures rarely are performed. This cross-sectional survey identified the attitudes and beliefs of people with tetraplegia that may dissuade potential candidates from receiving these procedures.


METHODS
An oral survey was designed to determine priorities of reconstruction in individuals with tetraplegia. This survey was administered to 50 people with tetraplegia.


RESULTS
Among those surveyed, 13 (26%) had never heard of upper-extremity reconstructive surgery, but 22 (44%) were interested in upper-extremity reconstruction. People with tetraplegia who had a negative first impression of these procedures were far less likely to want reconstruction 0 (0%) vs. 11 (45%). Of patients who learned about these procedures from their physicians, 10 (67%) had a negative first impression after the physician consultation.


CONCLUSIONS
Although many people with tetraplegia understand the benefits of upper-extremity reconstruction, a large number of them are unaware of or have unfavorable attitudes toward these procedures. These negative attitudes may account for the marked underuse of upper-extremity reconstructive procedures in the United States.
Wagner
Jared P
JP
University of Michigan School of Medicine, the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and the Veterans Hospital, Department of Veterans Affairs, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0340, USA.
Curtin
Catherine M
CM
Gater
David R
DR
Chung
Kevin C
KC
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D010465:Perception; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000601:surgery*