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Rehabilitation for Motor Complete Spinal Cord Injury

Presented by Candy Tefertiller

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Predicting outcomes after spinal cord injury (SCI) is difficult. Therefore, providing the most efficacious treatment interventions after SCI can be challenging. Interventions must be based on a framework that includes current translational research along with an understanding of the neurophysiological changes that occur after SCI. Clinicians must be able to identify appropriate functional expectations after SCI based on level of injury, severity of injury, and currently available research. Clinicians must also be able to properly educate and empower individuals with SCI and their families to live independently and maximize quality of life by minimizing the complications associated with impaired mobility. After completing this course, clinicians will improve their knowledge of spinal cord injury rehabilitation, including the many challenges and opportunities associated with providing care for this unique population.

Meet your instructor

Candy Tefertiller

Candace Tefertiller, PT, DPT, PhD, NCS, is the Executive Director of Research and Evaluation at Craig Hospital and the Helen Phillips Levin Endowed Chair of Research. Dr. Tefertiller is currently the Co-Project Director for the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems and Co-Project Director for the Traumatic Brain Injury Model…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Compensation and Recovery

1. Compensation and Recovery

It’s important for clinicians to understand the differences between recovery-based, compensatory-based and restorative-based therapies as well as the neural mechanisms associated with each type of rehabilitation approach.

Functional Expectations: All Levels of Injuries

2. Functional Expectations: All Levels of Injuries

This chapter will discuss functional expectations that should be achieved by an individual who sustains an SCI regardless of their level of injury. Some of the goals individuals with SCI should achieve prior to leaving inpatient rehabilitation that will be discussed in this chapter include upright tolerance, ability to utilize appropriate seating systems to support posture and maximize function, ability to utilize appropriate mobility device(s) to maximize functional mobility and independence, and maintaining intact skin.

Cervical Injuries

3. Cervical Injuries

There are many important areas to address when providing rehabilitation for an individual with a cervical spinal cord injury to ensure they achieve maximum function, independence and quality of life. The following are important components of a rehabilitation program that individuals with cervical SCI should be engaged in: respiratory training, bed mobility, transfers, wheelchair mobility, weight shifts, skin care, bowel/bladder training and care, sexual function, psychosocial health, and community mobility/travel.

Thoracic and Lumbar Injuries

4. Thoracic and Lumbar Injuries

There are many important areas to address when providing rehabilitation for an individual with thoracic and lumbar SCIs to ensure they achieve maximum function, independence, and quality of life. The following are important components of a rehabilitation program that individuals with thoracic/lumbar SCI should be engaged in: respiratory training for intercostal muscles, bed mobility, transfers (car, floor, community, recreation), wheelchair mobility skills (wheelies, ramps, curbs, stairs, loading into car), ambulation potential, skin care, bowel/bladder training and care, sexual function, and health and wellness.