Abstract
Purpose: 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.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 483-490 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Journal of Hand Surgery |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Apr 1 2007 |
Fingerprint
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Surgery
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Cite this
}
Perceptions of People With Tetraplegia Regarding Surgery to Improve Upper-Extremity Function. / Wagner, Jared P.; Curtin, Catherine M.; Gater, David R.; Chung, Kevin C.
In: Journal of Hand Surgery, Vol. 32, No. 4, 01.04.2007, p. 483-490.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Perceptions of People With Tetraplegia Regarding Surgery to Improve Upper-Extremity Function
AU - Wagner, Jared P.
AU - Curtin, Catherine M.
AU - Gater, David R.
AU - Chung, Kevin C.
PY - 2007/4/1
Y1 - 2007/4/1
N2 - Purpose: 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.
AB - Purpose: 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.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=33947719485&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=33947719485&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jhsa.2007.01.015
DO - 10.1016/j.jhsa.2007.01.015
M3 - Article
C2 - 17398358
AN - SCOPUS:33947719485
VL - 32
SP - 483
EP - 490
JO - Journal of Hand Surgery
JF - Journal of Hand Surgery
SN - 0363-5023
IS - 4
ER -