Long term follow up of spinal cord injury caused by penetrating missiles.

Eighty-four spinal cord injured patients (SCIP) injured as a result of penetrating missiles were categorised according to: neurological level of injury, age at time of injury, circumstances of injury, missile type, initial treatment, duration of injury, and ethnic background. Evaluations and comparisons were made concerning: life habits, family status, education, employment, and mental well being. A discussion of complicating factors, both physical and psychological, and their relation to the final rehabilitation result is presented.