Recovery rate of functional motor independence during inpatient rehabilitation after traumatic cervical spinal cord injury predicts functional status at years 1 and 5 after surgery: A multicenter, longitudinal cohort study

In patients who suffered an AIS A/B cervical SCI, IPR contributed to achieving functional independence in up to 5 years after the inciting injury. By year 1, 12.3% of patients achieved functional independence, and from years 1 to 5, an additional 3.42% of patients achieved functional independence. Although AIS B patients and patients with AIS improvement had improved outcomes at year 1, only the ΔmFIM score during IPR predicted eventual FI status by year 5. Due to the increased likelihood attaining functional independence at year 5 in AIS A SCI, carries emphasized importance for patients who do not attain functional independence by year 1. Our study highlights the crucial role of early and aggressive rehabilitation following surgical intervention toward ultimate functional independence in traumatic cervical SCI patients enduring complete loss of motor function.