1. Presenter : Hitesh N. Modi, M.S. PhD Shakti A. Goel MBBS, Hitesh N. Modi M.S. PhD, Bharat R. Dave M.S. MCh., Pankaj R. Patel M.S. Smt NHL Municipal Medical College and Seth Vadilal Sarabhai General Hospital, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India BACKGROUND NURICK GRADING SCALE RESULTS * * * CONCLUSION Strokev1>v2 StrokeV2<NormalV2 MATERIALS AND METHODS STUDY DESIGN Socio-Economic Impact of Cervical Spinal Cord Injury Operated in Patients with Lower Income Group Cervical spinal cord injury is a catastrophic condition requiring chronic care. Life expectancy after such an injury is markedly reduced due to complications proportional to the severity of injury or remaining neurologic functions. A number of fixation modalities are available for both traumatic and myelopathic conditions of cervical spine. Despite having good radiological results, their impact on socio economic status of an individuals in developing nations is little known. The aim of such a study was not only to know the clinical and roentological outcomes after cervical spine fixation but analyze its impact in the socio economic condition of an individual and family. The study was conducted at Vadilal Sarabhai General Hospital, a tertiary care government institute in western Indian state of Gujarat. 113 individuals, both male and female were selected between ages of 25 and 90 without any other co-morbid condition. The individuals belonged to low socio-economic status as per modified Kuppuswamy’s scale. The average expenditure per family was around Indian Rs. 2215.13 ($39.55) per month. A restrospective study of 8 years was carried out on the surviving individuals with cervical spine injury who underwent surgery. Patients had been operated with anterior cervical fixation with or without bone grafting and their neurology documented. Individuals who had expired or were untraceable were excluded from the list. The neurology and functioning capacity was assessed as per the Nurick scale. The score was assigned according to their functioning in pre- operative and post operative periods. Roentograms ( antero posterior view and lateral view) were used for fixation assessment. MODIFIED KUPPUSWAMY SCALE Number of Patients Age of Patients Scatter curve showing ages of population under study. Male comprised of 57 percent of the study population. Pre-Operative Post-Operative Nurick Scoree P>0.05 Pre and Post operative average Nurick score. Representative radiological images of AP and Lateral views of Anterior Cervical Plating. The average age of study group was 46.65 ± 16.89 years. About 46.7% of the study group were labourers or farmers, majority of whom lost their jobs (47%) post injury. About 19% of the monthly expenditure was spent on their illness; still majority (56%) had little aspirations to get the government support in form of financial help. The Nurick scale did not show any significant change in pre and post operative periods (3.06 v/s 2.83, p>0.05). Despite good radiological results; the socioeconomic burdens in study group had little impact. Study shadows socioeconomic impact after cervical spine injury and is first of its kind in lower income group. Such studies may further throw light in further management of cervical spine injuries in developing versus developed world. RESULTS Number of Patients