[Traumatic paraplegia with injury of the upper extremity--effects on the success of rehabilitation].

The evaluation of a greater number of patients with traumatic paraplegia and tetraplegia showed more than 20% of associated injuries of the upper limbs. In view of the fact that arms and shoulders of the paraplegic person take over a decisive weight-bearing function, we were interested in the effects of these special injuries on rehabilitation outcome. Injuries of the distal arm were found to have more serious repercussions for achievement of the rehabilitation aim than the relatively more impressing injuries of the shoulder girdle and the upper arm. Serious limitations were found in the range of motion of the affected joints. Compensation was due only to the skill of the paraplegics in dealing with these deficits in motion and in using the uninjured extremity. This is the main reason why the functional deficits in independence were relatively minor.