Functional outcome and discharge destination in older patients with spinal cord injury: a retrospective…

Cohort studyEuropean geriatric medicine· Sep 2026

Functional outcome and discharge destination in older patients with spinal cord injury: a retrospective cohort study.

Stephan Kurz, Oliver Habich, Katja Brauer, Frederik Wilhelm Schneckmann

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Spinal Cord Injury RehabilitationCohort studyQ1IF 3.0

68.8% of patients over 75 with spinal cord injury were discharged home

Functional outcome and discharge destination in older patients with spinal cord injury: a retrospective cohort study.

Stephan Kurz … Frederik Wilhelm Schneckmann

European geriatric medicine · Sep 2026

Purpose

To evaluate functional outcomes and discharge destination after specialized inpatient rehabilitation in patients aged > 75 years with spinal cord injury (spinal cord injury).

Methods

This retrospective single-center cohort study included 160 patients aged ≥ 60 years who completed inpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation at the specialized spinal cord injury unit of BG Trauma Center Frankfurt, Germany (2010-2025).

n = 160 patients

Results

most patients over 75 went home despite smaller functional gains

81.3%

60-75 years

68.8%

>75 years

More results

The mean age was 67 ± 5 years in the 60-75-year group and 80 ± 4 years in the > 75-year group; 75.0% and 64.1% were male, respectively.

Only 7.8% of patients aged > 75 years were discharged home without nursing support.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

Most patients aged > 75 years were discharged home despite lower functional gains. Advanced age alone should not be considered a barrier to specialized inpatient rehabilitation.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

Early discharge planning and adequate post-acute support are essential to facilitate supported community discharge and reduce institutionalization.

Functional outcome and discharge destination in older patients with spinal cord injury: a retrospective cohort study.

Functional outcome and discharge destination in older patients with spinal cord injury: a retrospective cohort study.

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