Spinal cord injury (SCI) is defined as injury to the spinal cord resulting from a compulsion, incision, or contusion, occurring anywhere along the spinal cord from the base of the skull to the lower back. The distal extent of the injury results in a disruption of the spinal cord's ability to perform its functions.
Due to the fact that prolonged survival is the norm for traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCI), which are arguably the most devastating orthopedic injuries, rehabilitation becomes more and more crucial. Rehabilitation's main objectives are to maximize physical functioning, prevent secondary complications, and facilitate reinstatement into society. A multidisciplinary, team-based approach is the most effective way to recover from SCI.
Patients with SCI experience severe disability. Worldwide, approximately 40 million people experience SCI each year. While children make up 1% of this population, the majority are young men, usually between the ages of 20 and 35. The most prevalent mechanism of injury in children is motor vehicle accidents. The majority of spinal injuries occur as a result of sports-related trauma after kids start school and play organized sports. According to reports, diving was the most popular sport injury.
Football is the sport with the highest injury rate among all sports. In children, the cervical region accounts for 60 to 80% of all spinal injuries. The remaining 20–40% are distributed equally between the lumbar and thoracic regions. Compared to girls, boys are more likely to suffer from spinal trauma. Traffic accidents, gunshot wounds, knife wounds, falls, and sports injuries are the leading causes of spinal cord injuries (SCI) worldwide.
Usually, flexion, compression, hyperextension, or flexion-rotation mechanisms result in injury. This is referred to as "primary damage" that arises from these processes. Secondary damage is the term used to describe the body's reactions to overcome the primary damage, such as bleeding, inflammation, and chemical release. Let’s know in detail what treatments can help in rehabilitation from these injuries.
Damage to any part of the spinal cord is referred to as spinal cord injury. The cauda equina, or end of the spinal cord, nerves may also sustain harm from it. From the brain to the rest of the body, the spinal cord transmits and receives signals. Permanent alterations in strength, sensation, and other bodily functions below the site of the injury manifest as the result of spinal cord injuries. In addition, psychological, emotional, and social consequences can arise among people who have suffered from spinal cord injuries.
Spinal cord injury rehabilitation is necessary following a spinal cord injury in order to maximize recovery and possibly adjust to a new way of life. A comprehensive rehabilitation team for spinal cord injuries collaborates with you and your family to:
While each member of the team has primary responsibilities, an effective interdisciplinary team allows for the participation of all members in problem solving. The patient's and family's needs are the focus of the spinal cord injury rehabilitation team, which also assists in establishing both immediate and long-term treatment objectives. The spinal cord injury rehabilitation team consists of numerous highly qualified specialists, including:
| Patient need: | Example: |
| Neuro-rehabilitation | Maximally restore movement to muscles damaged by spinal cord injury by actively stimulating the spinal cord to form new pathways |
| Self-care skills, including activities of daily living (ADLs) | Feeding, toileting, bathing, grooming, dressing, and sexual functioning |
| Physical care | Support of heart and lung function, nutritional needs, and skin care |
| Mobility skills | Walking, transfers, and self-propelling a wheelchair |
| Respiratory care | Ventilator care, if needed; breathing treatments and exercises to promote lung function |
| Communication skills | Speech, writing, and alternative methods of communication |
| Socialization skills | Interacting with others at home and within the community |
| Vocational training | Work-related skills |
| Pain and muscle spasticity (increased muscle tone) management | Medications and alternative methods of managing pain and spasticity |
| Psychological counseling | Identifying problems and solutions for thinking, behavioral, and emotional issues |
| Family support | Assistance with adapting to lifestyle changes, financial concerns, and discharge planning |
| Education | Patient and family education and training about SCI, home care needs, and adaptive techniques |
Research indicates that spinal cord injury rehabilitation can help people with SCI lead happy, fulfilling lives, even though neurorehabilitation can't reverse spinal cord damage. A comprehensive rehabilitation strategy is essential, particularly for individuals who have suffered both brain and spinal cord injuries, since the limitations resulting from one disorder may affect how the other is treated.
Maximizing the patient's capabilities at home and in the community is essential. Positive reinforcement is essential for recovery because it fosters independence and increases self-worth. Helping patients reach the highest level of independence and function is the primary objective of SCI rehabilitation, which also aims to improve their general quality of life on an emotional, social, and physical level.
Get the right assistance at Walk Again to get back to an independent life after a spinal cord injury.
Q1: How is a spinal cord injury rehabilitated?
A: The goal of neuro- rehab is to maximally restore movement to muscles damaged by spinal cord injury by actively stimulating the spinal cord to form new pathways.
Q2: How long does spinal cord injury rehabilitation take?
A: Care and rehabilitation tend to last for many years. During this phase, individuals with spinal cord injuries and those who provide care for them must also keep an eye on complications. A person might regain some body function in eighteen months following the injury.
Q3: Can someone with a spinal cord injury walk again?
A: People who have suffered complete spinal cord injuries may be able to stand and walk once more as a result of technological advancements.