How to Regain Strength after Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) leave an individual with 72% disability. WHO recognizes SCI as a major mucoskeletal condition with profound consequences to the individual, family, and the society. With more than 15,000 new spinal cord injuries reported in India, the national disease burden associated with spinal cord injuries is growing at tremendous pace. Timely medical intervention and early rehabilitation therapies can help optimize recovery, limit disability and reintegrate the individual with society.
Need for Rehabilitation:
Road traffic accidents, sports injuries and falls are the most common causes of spinal cord injuries. Unlike many other physical injuries, Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) lead to not just limitations in functional independence, but several other co-morbidities and long-term consequences including deep vein thrombosis, urinary tract infections, pulmonary and cardiovascular problems. Depending on the severity of the injury and duration of the treatment rehabilitation plan could vary. Rehabilitation is important to ensure normal functioning of the respiratory and digestive system, prevention of joint contractures, conservation of bone density and loss of muscle strength.
Rehabilitation to regain functional recovery after spinal cord injury must be essentially multidisciplinary in nature. A rehabilitation specialist designs custom-tailored care plan that is led by a physician and managed by the core team comprising of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, respiratory/speech therapists and nurses among others. Family plays a critical role in every rehabilitation plan and therefore, they are given detailed counseling and necessary support to sustain the care plan.
Benefits of Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) Rehabilitation:
The following are some of the direct benefits associated with a Spinal Cord Injuries (SCI) rehabilitation program:
Specialized Spinal Cord Injury rehabilitation programs like the one offered by HCAH SuVitas offers personalized yet comprehensive, family-oriented care plan. Adapting to a new way of life requires right support and resources. Early rehabilitation can help in reducing disabilities and complications associated with spinal cord injuries.