Incidence and risk factors in the appearance of heterotopic ossification in spinal cord injury.

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a frequent complication in patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI), although the aetiology is unknown. A study was undertaken of 654 SCI patients with traumatic aetiology, admitted for the first time to the Hospital Nacional de Paraplejicos, Toledo, during 1988 and 1989. Of the total number of patients, 85 (13%) were diagnosed HO and 569 without HO.

[Cardiovascular changes in cervical spinal cord lesions].

A study is performed on the alterations in blood pressure and heart rate in 36 patients with cervical spinal cord lesions with as evolution of at least 5 years. We have found fluctuations in blood pressure and heart rate when passing from lying to standing position, before urinating and from one day to another. The incidence of autonomic dysreflexia crisis is observed in 178 patients suffering cervical spinal cord lesions of the Hospital Nacional de Parapléjicos, Toledo.