Spinal Injury Rehabilitation

Overview

Spinal injury or spinal cord injury refers to an injury of the spinal cord. This injury may be caused by trauma, such as crushing, stretching or breaking of the spinal cord. This can result in loss of function and/or sensation below the level of injury.

Spinal injury may also occur as the result of illness such as tumours, infection or haemorrhage.

Potential Effects of spinal injury (not an exhaustive list)

The potential effects of spinal injury vary significantly depending on the location of the injury, these can include:

• The impact of the injury also varies amongst individuals with the same level of injury.
• Paralysis.
• Pain.
• Blood pressure issues.
• Temperature regulation issues.
• Autonomic Dysreflexia (potentially fatal increase in blood pressure in response to stimuli such as pain or temperature increase).
• Spasms

Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Methods (not an exhaustive list)

Spinal injury rehabilitation is centred upon the individual needs of the person and their goals, in terms of regaining independence. The severity and nature of the injury will also determine the methods of rehabilitation used.

Rehabilitation methods will vary, but involvement will often be required form different members of the multidisciplinary team this can include: Specialist Nurses, Speech and Language Therapists, Neuro-Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists.

Treatment possibilities include:

• Stretches, passive and active movement of weakened or paralysed limbs.
• Transfer practice.
• Upper Limb strengthening.
• Sitting balance practice.
• Functional reaching.
• Positioning in bed, wheelchair and other seating.
• Hydrotherapy– using the support, pressure, resistance and warmth provided by the water to increase therapeutic benefit.
• Cardiovascular fitness programme to increase stamina and endurance.
• Vocational rehabilitation.
• Support to maximise community and social integration.
• Work to increase independence in activities of daily living, including washing and dressing, preparing meals, shopping.

Keiro offers a wide range of spinal injury rehabilitation treatments via our rehabilitation and specialist nursing services in Whickham, Newcastle and in Middlesbrough, Teesside.

If you would like any further information about how Keiro can help individuals who have a spinal injury please contact us using the form to the right.