Spinal Cord Injury Physiotherapy
A spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord, which carry signals to and from the brain. A person with damage to the spinal cord may suffer from loss of sensation and motor function depending on the level and severity of injury. Damage to the neck region usually causes loss of function and sensory impairment in the arms and legs, resulting in quadriplegia while injury to the middle and lower back usually affects the chest and the legs and results in paraplegia.
Effects of a spinal cord injury:
- Problems with bowel and bladder function
- Respiratory difficulties
- Loss of sexual dysfunction
- Spasticity (increased reflexes and stiffness of the limbs)
- Muscle wasting and weakness
- Neuropathic pain
Causes of Spinal Cord Injury:
- Road traffic accidents
- Domestic injuries
- Sports injuries
- Tuberculosis of the neck
- Spinal Stenosis
- Rhematoid arthritis
Physiotherapy for spinal cord injury:
- Exercise to strengthen weak muscles
- Reducing contractures by stretching muscles
- Increasing control of movement of the arms, legs and trunk
- Exercises to improve balance
- Promoting independence
- Mobilisation exercises to improve circulation and range of movement
- Advice on orthotic devices and walking aids
- Improving quality of life