RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: One of the most important outcomes regarding social reintegration after a traumatic spinal cord injury is social reinsertion; despite its huge impact, very few studies in Mexico have measured community reintegration in these patients. The objective of this study was to analyse the working situation of patients with traumatic spinal cord injury at a hospital centre in Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cross-sectional descriptive study. Working patients, aged 19-55 years, diagnosed with traumatic spinal cord injury at a hospital centre in Mexico were included; a telephone survey was performed. RESULTS: Eighteen patients were included (15 men, 3 women), with a mean age of 38 years (± 10.3). The most common levels of injury were cervical and thoracic; the most common Asia Impairment Scale grades were A and E; 17 patients were included at a rehabilitation programme at discharge; the average Spinal Cord Independence Measure score was 65.22 (± 35.11). Five patients were hired after the injury in a mean period of 7 months (± 2.9). The main factors associated with occupational reintegration were young age, lower injury levels, an adequate rehabilitation programme, high Spinal Cord Independence Measure scale score, and being married or cohabiting. CONCLUSION: This study shows the low return to work rate after a traumatic spinal cord injury, as well as the main factorsa affecting it; highlighting the importance of an adeaquate rehabilitation program with a multidisciplinary approach.