title: Elbow problems in paraplegic spinal cord injured patients: frequency and related risk factors--a preliminary controlled study.
abstract: METHODS
  Cross-sectional controlled study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the elbow joint with ultrasound in paraplegic patients, determine the related factors and compare it with healthy controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  A training and research rehabilitation hospital in Istanbul.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 30 paraplegic patients and 20 healthy controls were included in the study. Patients demographic data, pain in the elbow joint, level and duration of injury, ambulation status, type of wheelchair used, daily duration of wheelchair and other ambulation equipment usage, transfers being dependent or independent, daily number of push-ups were recorded. Elbow joints were evaluated with ultrasound for presence of fluid and thickness of the triceps tendon.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean triceps tendon thickness values of the right side were larger in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients when compared with those of healthy controls'. Joint effusion on the right elbow joint was also found to be more common in SCI patients than in normal subjects. Triceps tendon thickness measurements were not found to be correlated with demographic and clinical factors. Seven paraplegic patients (23%) reported that they have pain in the elbow.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this preliminary study, our results showed that right elbow effusion was more frequent and right triceps tendon was thicker in SCI patients when compared with healthy subjects.
authors: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Istanbul Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. dr.belginerhan@gmail.com
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Erhan
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Gündüz
authors: A N
authors: AN
authors: Bardak
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Özcan
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Çarlı
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Er
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Tekin
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Özçakar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D013710:Tendons / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult