Do appreciable changes in the upper extremity motor capability to perform clean intermittent catheterization come about with time after traumatic spinal cord injury?

Bladder dysfunction after spinal cord injury (SCI) often requires clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) or other management strategies. A common dilemma in those desiring to perform CIC independently but lacking the appropriate upper extremity (UE) motor function is the timing of reconstructive surgery. Methods We assessed the National Spinal Cord Injury Data Set for the years 2000‐2016. Our cohort consisted of persons with cervical SCI, who underwent complete motor examination upon discharge from rehabilitation and at 1‐year follow‐up. Using a previously published algorithm, UE motor scores were transformed to predict a patient's ability to independently perform CIC. Improvements in the predicted ability to self‐catheterize were evaluated. Results Of the 1428 individuals meeting the inclusion criteria, improvements in the predicted UE motor function necessary to independently self‐catheterize were observed in 39%, 42%, and 38% of those deemed possibly able, only able with surgical assistance, or unable to self‐catheterize at rehabilitation discharge, respectively. On multivariate analysis, only increasing Association Impairment Scale (AIS) classification and AIS classification improvement over the first year were associated with an increased odds of improving predicted CIC ability (odds ratio [OR] = 1.44 for AIS C and 1.97 for AIS D compared with AIS A, and OR = 1.90 for AIS classification improvement versus stable AIS classification, P  < 0.05 for each). Conclusion Improvements in UE motor function to independently perform CIC occur in approximately 40% of persons with cervical SCI in the first year after rehabilitation discharge. Those with incomplete injuries are more likely to improve. These findings should enhance patient bladder management counseling and guide surgeons in determining an appropriate timeline for offering reconstruction.