Surgical treatments to restore function control in spinal cord injury.

People with spinal cord injury (SCI) have a profound loss of control of their lives and abilities. Surgical procedures are of significant benefit in improving autonomy, self-care, and body function. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) is useful at higher levels of paralysis such as ASIA C5 or C6 where there are no remaining voluntary muscles for tendon transfer and can partially replace respiration, balance, and ambulation. Outcomes studies show that surgical care improves independence, strength of grasp, and measured quality of life. Those with tetraplegia should be referred for consultation for surgical reconstruction, release of contractures, consideration for neuroprostheses, and reconstruction.