Physical and social status in patients with spinal cord injury - The ultimate goal of SCI rehabilitationis therestoration of maximal functional capacity with social reintegration. Although physical rehabilitation of these patients is frequently addressed in most of the in patient rehabilitationclinics in our contry, social aspects, constituting an important part of the rehabilitation process, are not adequately focused on.This study was designed in order to investigate the long term phpkical and social condition of SCI patients rehabilitatid in our in-patient clinic. A questionnariere form was sentto a total of 100 SCI patients (age 11-70 years) at least 2 years after discharge (mean 9.2+5.2, range 2-20 years). The questionnaire included items concerning medical problems, complications, socioecomnomic status, ativities of daily living and leisure time activites. The response rate was 57 % '16 female, 41 male) and consisted of 14 (24.6 %) tetraplegic and 43 '75.4 %) paraplegic patients. 63 % of the patients were less management problems in 47.3 % urinary tract infection in 43.8%, pressure ulcer in 17.5%, coıntractures in 33.3%, pain in 70.2%, and spasticity in 61.4%. Two of the patients ganiful occupation constituted 24.6%, while 72.7% was not currentl employed. Thirty six patients (63%) lost their j<ob, 843.8%) were economically depedent to their families, 22.8% had income from other sources such as retirement pension. Jhile 36.8 % of the patients were mobilized by whelchair, 2stair" was the most frequently mentioned '38.6%) architecrutarlbarrier. Most of the patients mentioned reading, watching TV and "chatting" as their leisure time activites. Only 12.3% managed houseold activities themselves,while others recevived help from their family members.
In conclusion, it can be stated that successful rehabilitation outcome in SCI requires more emphasis on adaptation to the social circumstances and improvement of quality of life after injury