Physical Therapy for Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal Cord Injury Recovery
Injuries to the spinal cord can be devastating. In most cases these injuries are sudden and often require prolonged rehabilitation to restore or compensate for the function lost in the arms, trunk and/or legs. Because the spinal cord carries sensory and motor information between the brain and the rest of the body, injury to the nerves in the spinal cord can have serious consequences.
Symptoms range from mild to severe and recovery often depends on the cause and severity of the injury. The location of injury will determine the part(s) of the body affected. In general, any areas innervated by the spinal cord below the level of injury have potential to be partially or completely impacted by the injury. There are many different causes of injury to the spinal cord. Some of the more common causes of spinal cord injury include:
Trauma such as a fall, diving accident, motor vehicle accident or assault
Infection in the spinal cord
Stroke in one of the arteries supplying the spinal cord
Surgical complications
Acute compression of the spinal cord by a herniated disc or unstable vertebra
As mentioned above, symptoms of a spinal cord injury depend on the location and severity of the injury but these are some common impairments associated with injury to the delicate nerves of the spinal cord:
Muscle weakness or paralysis in the arms, trunk or legs
Diminished or complete loss of sensation in the affected areas
Nerve pain
Spasticity or changes in muscle tone
Difficulty or inability to stand and walk
Difficulty using arms for functional tasks
Impaired breathing or inability to breathe on one’s own
Changes in bowel and bladder function
Impaired balance
Difficulty or inability transferring oneself from one surface to another
In almost all cases, physical therapists will be a part of your care team from the very beginning but you can expect the support from a number of other healthcare professionals as well. Read on to learn about many of the different providers you may encounter after a spinal cord injury.
MANY HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS MAKE UP THE CARE TEAM
Treating a spinal cord injury requires the help and expertise of a variety of healthcare professionals. In the immediate aftermath of the injury the focus is on stabilizing the spine, reversing or minimizing injury to the spinal cord and addressing any other injuries or medical concerns that may be life-threatening. This is primarily the role of the neurosurgeon or spinal surgeon, nurses and other doctors that care for you in the hospital. When it is deemed safe to do so, you will begin to meet the other healthcare professionals that make up your care team. While you may not need all of these professionals or you may seek the care of others not on this list, here is a list of the most common healthcare professionals involved in the aftercare for a spinal cord injury:
Neurologists and Physiatrists: Neurologists specialize in the care of conditions and injuries affecting the neurologic system like a spinal cord injury. Physiatrists are physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians that often handle complex cases like spinal cord injuries.
Respiratory therapists: Respiratory therapists may be encountered in the hospital or in a rehabilitation or skilled nursing facility to manage mechanical ventilation and other treatments related to compromised lung function.
Physical therapists: Physical therapists aim to help restore, recover and compensate for lost or reduced function in the arms, trunk and legs. Physical therapy will address skills like transferring in and out of bed, standing and walking, balance, muscle weakness, coordination, bed mobility, equipment like wheelchairs or walkers and much more. You will meet them in the hospital, inpatient rehabilitation and also in outpatient rehabilitation.
Occupational therapists: Occupational therapists also help to restore, recover, and compensate for lost or reduced ability to perform or participate in activities of daily living. This can range from the ability to get dressed and cook a meal, to the ability to use the toilet and return to work. They also address impairments in fine motor function of the fingers and hands, transfers, bed mobility and much more. They will also help you get adaptive equipment to increase your independence. You will meet them in the hospital, inpatient rehabilitation and also in outpatient rehabilitation.
Speech therapists: If your injury occurred in the cervical spine (neck) or midback (thoracic spine) or if you experienced prolonged bed rest or mechanical ventilation then you will likely work with a speech therapist to address issues with breathing, coughing, lung health, speech and swallowing. You will meet them in the hospital, inpatient rehabilitation and also in outpatient rehabilitation.
Orthotists: Orthotists order and make splints and orthotics to optimize movement and function. Splints and orthotics for the hands and legs, for example, can improve the ability to stand and walk, maintain range of motion and flexibility and improve the ability to use the hands for daily tasks. You will meet them in the hospital, inpatient rehabilitation and also in outpatient rehabilitation.
Counselors and mental healthcare professionals: A spinal cord injury is a life altering event and having adequate mental health support is essential.
Seating and Mobility Specialist: Seating and mobility specialists are specially trained to provide adaptive equipment like custom wheelchairs or standing frames. If long term use of a wheelchair is expected then a custom option can improve comfort and independence with mobility.
Nurse Case Managers: Nurse case managers are often encountered in the hospital and play an essential role in coordinating services and helping to arrange an appropriate discharge location for those with recent spinal cord injury.
We know that you have many professionals on your care team and our skilled physical therapists at Evolve would like to be one of them. If you are ready for outpatient physical therapy after an injury to the spinal cord, call us here at Evolve to get started with an initial evaluation.
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Brooklyn's Premier Holistic Physical Therapy Clinics- There’s physical therapy, there’s training, and then there’s EVOLVE. We use the science of biomechanics merged with fitness to help our patients get better and stay better!
First we evaluate, then we heal, then we strengthen our clients so they can reach their goals, feel better, and live happier lives. We do so by utilizing a range of core techniques and specialized treatments to reduce pain, improve mobility, enhance physical strength and deal with the underlying issues, not just the pain itself.
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