Fig. 3

A, Magnetic resonance imaging was used to confirm diagnosis of ischemic spinal cord injury. On the left, sagittal T2‐weighted turbo‐spin echo sequences show a long‐range cord hyperintensity involving the midaspect of the thoracic cord reaching from thoracic vertebra 3 to the expanded conus medullaris. The illustration shows the level of injury of each patient. Abnormal T2 hyperintense spots within the central gray matter (“owl's eye” pattern) are shown on the right side. n=5. B, The illustration shows the applied study protocol. Upon consent of participation, neurological level of injury was assessed via magnetic resonance imaging and physical examination by a neurologist using the Classification of the American Spinal Cord Injury Association scale. Subjective condition of the patients was assessed via the Spinal Cord Independence Measure and the World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire. Patients were treated once a week for 6 weeks and end point analysis was done 6 months upon the last treatment. C, Shock wave therapy included 5 segments above and below the defined level of injury. ASIA indicates American Spinal Injury Association; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; SCIM, Spinal Cord Independence Measure; SWT, shock wave therapy; and WHOQOL, World Health Organization Quality of Life.