Category Archives: Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

Jewish Chronicle Geoffrey Raisman doctor behind breakthrough treatment for spinal ... Jewish Chronicle Professor Geoffrey Raisman, who grew up in Leeds, pioneered a new method of treating injuries previously thought to be incurable. and more » View original post here: Geoffrey Raisman doctor behind breakthrough treatment for spinal ... - Jewish Chronicle … Continue reading →

The primary focus of the Disabled World web site is to provide up to date information via our informative articles, disability news and educational videos. In addition to stories by our in-house writers and news items by disability organizations and Government Departments, each day we manually select relevant items that we consider will be of interest to persons with disabilities, carers, and the general public. Submission of disability related information, press releases and events are welcome. The word "disabled" is defined as having a physical or mental disability : unable to perform one or more natural activities (such as walking or seeing) because of illness, injury, etc. The word disabled came to be used as the standard term in referring to people with physical or mental disabilities in the second half of the 20th century - and it remains the most generally accepted term in both British and US English. Lately, "Disability" and "Disabled" are terms that are undergoing change due to the disability rights movement in the U.S. and U.K. - Disability or Disabled - Which Term is Right? "People with disabilities are the largest minority group, the only one any person can join at any time." Disability is … Continue reading →

Find a Service Select a Service Acupuncture Adaptive Sports Adaptive Sports Medicine Clinic Alternative/Complementary Medical Services Amputation and Limb Deficiencies Aquatic Therapy Arthritis and Joint Conditions Assistive Technology Services Audiology Balance and Vestibular Rehabilitation Bariatric Services Brain Injury Burn Rehabilitation Program Cardiac Rehabilitation Centers for Comprehensive Spasticity Complex Medical Rehabilitation Comprehensive Rehabilitation Cycling Medicine Dance Medicine Disorders of Consciousness (DOC) Program Driving Assessment Program Electrodiagnostic Evaluations/EMGs Exercise for Persons with Disabilities Gait Analysis/Robotic Therapy Geriatrics Gyrotonic exercise Hand Conditions Live Long Walk Strong Lyme Disease Lymphedema Management Medical Rehabilitation Services Movement Health Multiple Sclerosis National Running Center Neurologic Music Therapy Program Nutrition Occupational Therapy Orthopedic (Musculoskeletal) Rehabilitation Pain Management Pain Rehabilitation Program -- Functional Pain Man Parkinson's Disease Programs Pastoral Care Services Pediatric Augmentative Alternative Communications pediatric brace clinic Pediatric Medical Clinics Pediatric Nutrition pediatric OT Pediatric Physical Therapy Pediatric Rehabilitation Pediatric Specialty Programs and Clinics Pediatric Speech and Social Skills Groups Pediatric Speech-Language Therapy Program pediatric wheelchair clinic Pediatrics Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R) Pilates Prosthetics and Orthotics Psychology Services (Behavioral Health Services) Pulmonary Rehabilitation Recovery | Stroke Institute Regenerative Medicine Rehabilitation Technology Services Restorative Yoga RunStrong Injury Prevention | Running Programs Sleep Disorder Diagnostic Center Speech and Language … Continue reading →

Effects from Spinal Cord Injury The physical and emotional consequences from a spinal cord injury (SCI) can be devastating. Loss of spinal cord function can affect activities that are autonomous (e.g. breathing) as well as thought-driven actions (e.g. driving). Both motor and sensory functions may be lost. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA), not every spinal cord injury results from a motor vehicle accident (42%), violence (24%), falling (22%), or sports (8%). Occasionally SCIs are caused by diseases such as polio. Spinal cord injuries are usually described using the following terms: Paraparesis: A slight degree of paralysis affecting the lower extremities Paraplegia: Complete paralysis of both lower extremities and usually the lower trunk. The upper extremities are not involved. Quadriparesis: Partial paralysis of all four limbs (arms, legs) Quadriplegia (or Tetraplegia: Complete paralysis of all four limbs Other terms used to describe neural dysfunction include: Paresis: Partial paralysis Paralysis: Partial or complete loss of motor function Paresthesias: Abnormal sensation such as burning or tingling The spinal cord does not have to be severed for function to be lost. Most people with spinal cord dysfunction present with the cord intact. Cord injuries usually fall into one of the … Continue reading →

Discuss injury process, current prognosis, and future expectations. Provide common knowledge base necessary for making informed choices and commitment to the therapeutic regimen.Note: Improvement in managing effects of SCI has increased life expectancy of patients to only about 5 yr below norm for specific age group. Provide information and demonstrate: Positioning Promotes circulation; reduces tissue pressure and risk of complications. Use of pillows, supports, splints Keeps spine aligned and prevents or limits contractures, thus improving function and independence. Encourage continued participation in daily exercise and conditioning program and avoidance of fatigue and chills. Reduces spasticity, risk of thromboembolic (common complication). Increases mobility, muscle strength and tone for improving organ and body functionsuch assqueezing rubber ball, arm exercises enhance upper body strength to increase independence in transfers or wheelchair mobility; tightening or contracting rectum or vaginal muscles improves bladder control; pushing abdomen up, bearing down, contracting abdomen strengthens trunk and improves GI function (paraplegic). Identify energy conservation techniques and stress importance of pacing activities and adequate rest. Review drug regimen note use of baclofen (Lioresal), diazepam (Valium), tizanidine (Zanaflex). Fatigue is common and limits patients ability to participate in and manage care, decreasing quality of life and increasing feelings of helplessness … Continue reading →

Normal Anatomy There are 33 bones that make up the spinal column. There are 7 bones in the neck (cervical spine), 12 in the trunk (thoracic spine), 5 in the low back (lumbar spine), 5 fused bones that attach the spine to the pelvis (sacrum) and 3 fused bones form the tail bone (coccyx). The cervical spine three two main functions: The spinal cord is attached to the brain and is similar to a large electrical cable. It conducts information between the brain and the arms and legs. Approximately 60 smaller nerves exit the spinal cord (30 to the right and 30 to the left) along its path from top (base of the brain) to bottom (the spinal cord generally ends at the disc between the first and second lumbar vertebrae). Each nerve exits from a hole that is formed where two vertebrae meet (called the neural foramen) and is thus named (eg the nerve that exits adjacent to the 5th cervical bone is called the C5 nerve root). These nerve roots go to different parts of the body (arms, trunk, legs, bowel and bladder) and transmit information to and from those regions (eg the C5 nerve root carries sensation … Continue reading →

Spinal cord injury (SCI), as with acute stroke, is a dynamic process. In all acute cord syndromes, the full extent of injury may not be apparent initially. Incomplete cord lesions may evolve into more complete lesions. More commonly, the injury level rises 1 or 2 spinal levels during the hours to days after the initial event. A complex cascade of pathophysiologic events related to free radicals, vasogenic edema, and altered blood flow accounts for this clinical deterioration. Normal oxygenation, perfusion, and acid-base balance are required to prevent worsening of the spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injury can be sustained through different mechanisms, with the following 3 common abnormalities leading to tissue damage: Destruction from direct trauma Compression by bone fragments, hematoma, or disk material Ischemia from damage or impingement on the spinal arteries Edema could ensue subsequent to any of these types of damage. Neurogenic shock refers to the hemodynamic triad of hypotension, bradycardia, and peripheral vasodilation resulting from severe autonomic dysfunction and the interruption of sympathetic nervous system control in acute spinal cord injury. Hypothermia is also characteristic. This condition does not usually occur with spinal cord injury below the level of T6 but is more common in injuries … Continue reading →

Normal Anatomy The bones of the spine (vertebrae) are stacked on top of each other with soft cushioning discs located in between them (intervertebral discs). These discs are very similar to a jelly doughnut. The outer portion of the disc (called the annulus fibrosus) is like the dough of a jelly doughnut and the inner portion (nucleus pulposus) is similar to the jelly inside the doughnut. In a normal disc, all the nucleus pulposus remains inside the annulus fibrosus. However, if there is a full thickness tear in the annulus fibrosus, the nucleus pulposus will leak out of that tear. This is similar to a full thickness tear in the dough of the jelly doughnut with the jelly inside it leaking out through that tear. The leaked part of the nucleus/jelly is referred to as a 2 disc herniation. It is also commonly referred to as a herniated disc, disc extrusion, or a slipped disc. The leaked portion of the disc enters the space where the nerve resides and causes compression of the nerve. This compression leads to irritation of the nerve and the subsequent pain, numbness, tingling, paresthesias (feeling of pins and needles), temperature changes, etc. What does a … Continue reading →

The Scoliosis CLEAR treatment system that helped thousands of Scoliosis sufferers reduce their condition and take back control of their lives. Scoliosis is a scary and traumatic condition. You find out that your spine is curving too much and the problems can only get worse as you get older. The only Scoliosis treatment options presented to you are not very satisfying you can either: 1. Watch & Wait / Do nothing and hope the Scoliosis doesnt get worse 2. Wear an ineffectivebrace for 23 hours per day that at best will only stabilize the condition and sometimes can make the Scoliosis worse 3. Undergo invasive Scoliosis surgery to fuse metal rods to your spine, with high risk for dangerous complications But what you dont know is that these options only treat the symptoms of Scoliosis and not the real cause of Scoliosis. You could suffer from Scoliosis pain your whole life without ever knowing that there is an alternative treatment for Scoliosis that has been proven effective to reduce Scoliosis curves and pain because it fixes the real cause of Scoliosis. How could that be possible? Let me tell you a quick story about how Wendy spent 30 years of … Continue reading →

If you or a loved one has experienced an acute spinal cord injury,we'resorry that this has happened. We know that spinal cord injuries change many people's lives.Our staff at Shepherd Center believes life can still befulfilling and enjoyable, regardless of the severity of your injury. If you are currently in a trauma center, your doctor, case manager or discharge planner will talk to you about the next step once you are stabilized. Shepherd Center may be a rehabilitation option for you, depending on the severity of your injury, your current condition, and your insurance plan's specifications. Make a Referral to Shepherd Center Our patients travel from around the nation to undergo Shepherd Center's aggressive brand of rehabilitation that you just won't find anywhere else. Be sure to ask your healthcare provider about us. Get to know Shepherd Center. Download a PDF of our brochure. Read our patient testimonials. View our video series: Understanding Spinal Cord Injury Shepherd Center isvery different from a general hospital'srehabilitation unit. Our staff specializes in spinal cord injury and treats a high volume of patients - nearly450 each year.As a result, we have more experience in dealing with spinal cord injuries ateverylevel of injury, including peoplewho … Continue reading →