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Rehabilitation
Guide
Rehabilitation following a spinal cord lesion will be a unique
experience for everyone. A lot is dependant on the level
and type of cord damage. Access to a specialist spinal
injury treatment centre isn't always available to everyone
either, factors including cost, potential for recovery etc
unfortunately play there part here too. However with all
injuries there will be a long period of post injury
rehabilitation. As a guide a
Paraplegic injury will
usually be hospitalised for between 3 to 6 months post injury.
A
Tetraplegic or
Quadriplegic injury by its nature normally
requires between 6 months to a year. This is without
additional injuries or complications.
Rehabilitation at specialist spinal injury units is provided by
a team of different health professionals all expert in their own
particular field. Each case is dealt with on its merits
and a care plan decided accordingly. The goals determined
for each individual will vary.
What can be achieved
functionally will be very dependant on the level of
injury and whether it is
Complete or
Incomplete too.
Health
Professionals
Consultants / Doctors -
Decide on overall treatment of spinal cord lesion. I.E. whether
to operate to repair broken bones or to allow healing naturally
often called 'bed rest' They will also treat complications if
and when they arise too.
Nursing Staff - Normally a named nurse is in charge
of the nursing care plan for each patient
Physiotherapists - Responsible for physical exercises , passive
at first to maintain range of movement and good circulation and
then later in the gym to maximise functional return
Occupational Therapists -
Responsible with using any functional return in day to day
living. Dressing, washing and other personal care tasks.
Also experts in assessing the individual for the appropriate
wheelchair and household assistive aids.
Social Workers - Emotional
support and deal with housing, financial and other matters too
Other subject matter which is is relevant to every spinal cord
injury regardless of the level is also covered in the
rehabilitatin phase of spinal cord injury. This is often
referred to as 'Patient Education. This includes such things as:
*Sexuality and fertility
*Adapting your home so that you can live in it, or in some cases
seeking appropriate new housing
*Aids & equipment
*Benefits and money matters
*Access to education, employment, hobbies
*Arranging your ‘care package’ from local providers for when
you leave hospital
*Goal planning and education
If you are to regain your independence, you need a good deal of
information about the nature of your injury, how to look after
your body. A major part of the rehabilitating process
involves planning goals for yourself, this is done in
conjunction with your care team of health professionals
Rehabilitation Functional
Goals -
Treatment -
Spinal Injury
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