Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 88, Issue 3, Supplement 1 , Pages S62-S70, March 2007

Spinal Cord Injury Medicine. 3. Rehabilitation Phase After Acute Spinal Cord Injury

  • Steven C. Kirshblum, MD

      Affiliations

    • Spinal 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
    • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Medicine and Dentistry-New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence to Steven C. Kirshblum, MD, Spinal Cord Injury Services, Kessler Institute for Rehab, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052
    • ,
  • Michael M. Priebe, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
    • ,
  • Chester H. Ho, MD

      Affiliations

    • Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH
    • ,
  • William M. Scelza, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Carolinas Rehabilitation, Charlotte, NC
    • ,
  • Anthony E. Chiodo, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor, MI
    • ,
  • Lisa-Ann Wuermser, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Abstract 

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.

Key Words: Electric stimulation, Gait, Rehabilitation, Spinal cord injuries

 

 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.

 Reprints are not available from the author.

PII: S0003-9993(06)01559-0

doi:10.1016/j.apmr.2006.12.003

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume 88, Issue 3, Supplement 1 , Pages S62-S70, March 2007

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