Safety and Tolerance of Local Heat Application in the Paralyzed Area of Patients With Complete Paraplegia

Safety and Tolerance of Local Heat Application in the Paralyzed Area of Patients With Complete Paraplegia

Preconditioning of regional skin is known to reduce post surgery complications due to increased perfusion and better skin condition. The aim of this study is to prove that local heating through a standardized device in patients with spinal cord injury induces no burnings or other relevant side effects. The investigators expect an increased regional perfusion, temperature and redness.

Inclusion Criteria:

• men and women
• aged from 18 to 65 years
• paraplegia Th2-Th12
• spinal cord injury had occurred >12 weeks ago

Exclusion Criteria:

• infections
• fever
• diabetes
• heart failure stadium III
• renal insufficiency stadium III.
• scars, wounds or other injuries in the area of treatment
• skin type V and VI on Fitzpatrick scale