Kirshblum SC, Priebe MM, Ho CH, Scelza WM, Chiodo AE, Wuermser LA. Spinal cord injury medicine. 3. Rehabilitation phase after acute spinal cord injury.
This self-directed learning module highlights the rehabilitation aspects of care for people with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). It is part of the chapter on SCI medicine in the Self-Directed Physiatric Education Program for practitioners and trainees in physical medicine and rehabilitation. This article specifically focuses on the formulation of a rehabilitation plan based on functional goals by level of injury. Such a plan includes mobility, activities of daily living, equipment needs, and adjustment issues after injury. The effect of a concomitant brain injury on rehabilitation is discussed. Medical complications seen in the rehabilitation stage such as autonomic dysreflexia, heterotopic ossification, neurogenic bowel, and orthostasis are addressed. Preparation for discharge is crucial to allow for a smooth transition to home. There have been advances in SCI rehabilitation research including in wheelchair technology, functional electric stimulation, and partial body weight−supported ambulation.
Overall Article Objective
To describe outcomes and issues that may arise during the rehabilitation phase after spinal cord injury.
aSpinal Cord Injury Services, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, West Orange, NJDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Medicine and Dentistry–New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
bDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Medicine and Dentistry-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
cDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
dLouis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
eDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Carolinas Rehabilitation, Charlotte, NC
fDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI
Correspondence to Steven C. Kirshblum, MD, Spinal Cord Injury Services, Kessler Institute for Rehab, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052
No commercial party having a direct financial interest in the results of the research supporting this article has or will confer a benefit upon the author(s) or upon any organization with which the author(s) is/are associated.
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