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 Spinal cord injury has a severe impact on the patient’s life, affecting all aspects of daily life. The life of a SCI patient will never be the same, but most SCI patients go on to lead fulfilling and productive lives.
Rehabilitation is perhaps the most important phase in SCI treatment. While medications and surgery can help to return some function and sensation to patients, there is no cure for SCI. Rehabilitation offers the patient an opportunity to learn how they can lead as productive and normal a life as possible.
The major goal of rehabilitation is to allow the SCI patient to identify and reach his or her optimal level of functioning in all areas, including mental, physical, cognitive, and social aspects of their life. Minimizing physical and cognitive impairment, enhancing quality of life, and enhancing the patient’s participation in work and everyday life are the endpoints of rehabilitation. Living an independent life is the goal that most patient’s desire to reach, and rehabilitation is an important step to achieving this goal.
In addition to causing the loss of motor and sensory function, patients with SCI may also experience changes in:
- Bowel and bladder continence
- Pain levels
- Sexuality
- Function of the gastrointestinal tract
- Ability to swallow
- Temperature and blood pressure regulation
- Ability to breathe independently
Rehabilitation can help patients to deal effectively with these changes.
Rehabilitation starts in the acute phase and continues after the patient has been declared physically stable, and involves a team of professionals who all play different, but complementary roles. Some of the professionals involved in rehabilitation may include:
- Neurologist
- Nutritionist
- Occupational therapist
- Recreational therapist
- Psychiatrist/psychologist
- Nursing staff
- Orthopedic specialist
- Respiratory therapist
- Speech pathologist
- Social worker
- Family members and other key supports
In addition to the above team members who may be involved in rehabilitation, several services
may also be employed, depending on patient need. Some examples are:
- Recreation and leisure
- Vocational counselling
- Driver training
- Sexual health counselling
- Assistive device prescription
- Pharmaceutical service
The average length of rehabilitation is 59 days. Longer stays may be needed for patients with complete injuries or tetraplegic injuries. Most patients with SCI return home after leaving the hospital and/or rehabilitation. |
