Medicina Fluminensis, Vol. 48 No. 4, 2012.
Review article
Spinal cord injury rehabilitation
Tea Schnurrer-Luke-Vrbanić
orcid.org/0000-0002-9161-4328
; Centar za fizikalnu i rehabilitacijsku medicinu, KBC Rijeka, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Saša Moslavac
; Specijalna bolnica za medicinsku rehabilitaciju, Varaždinske Toplice, Hrvatska
Ivan Džidić
; Specijalna bolnica za medicinsku rehabilitaciju, Varaždinske Toplice, Hrvatska
Abstract
Spinal cord injury is a complex injury, difficult to treat with devastating medical, social, emotional, psychological and economic consequences affecting not only the patient, but also his/her partner, family and community in general. These effects can however be alleviated by a multidisciplinary and dedicated approach of an experienced team and community care. The focus of the special rehabilitation programme is the simultaneous treatment of fractured spine and multisystem dysfunction, and the simultaneous attention to the non-medical effects on the patient/partner/family/community members. Although initially the impairment of body function and structures are in focus, the main concern then becomes centred on activity limitations, community participation and quality of life. Rehabilitation process may last from 3-6 months, depending of the level and completeness of injury, as well as co-morbidity and complications. The adequate management of all the body systems affected by the paralysis results in near normal functioning, minimising morbidity, mortality and hospitalization costs, while maximising health, quality of life and productivity of the patient.
Keywords
paraplegia; rehabilitation; spinal cord injury; tetraplegia
Hrčak ID:
95723
URI
Publication date:
3.12.2012.
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