Catheterization Method and Functional Recovery of Neurogenic Bladder in Spinal Cord Injury

Is the choice between indwelling and intermittent catheterization associated with the likelihood of regaining volitional bladder control after spinal cord injury, independently of general neurological recovery?In this propensity score–matched cohort study of 1032 adults with spinal cord injury, those managed with intermittent catheterization were more than twice as likely to regain bladder control within 1 year compared with those with indwelling catheters, with no differences in general neurological recovery. These findings were statistically significant.The choice of catheterization method was significantly associated with bladder function recovery after spinal cord injury, supporting the prioritization of intermittent catheterization to optimize patient outcomes.

Corresponding Author: Nicholas Theodore, MD, MS, Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans St, Baltimore, MD 21231 (theodore@jhmi.edu).

Link to the article in your story

We encourage you to link out to this article in your your story using the link below. It includes an access token that will give free access to the article for your readers up to one year after publication. (The link will be live after the article publishes and embargo is lifted.)

Please see the article for additional information, including full author list, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

Need more information? Contact us.