Helping the user adjust to their new way of living

Recovery from a SCI often requires long-term hospitalisation and rehabilitation. As well as occupational therapy which helps with everyday tasks, physical therapy will likely be a very important part of rehabilitation with specialists working with patients to prevent muscle wasting and contractures, and to help you retrain other muscles to aid in mobility and movement.

A traumatic event that results in a SCI is devastating for the patient and their family. The healthcare team will help educate the family on how to help care for the patient at home and understand the specific problems that require immediate medical attention.

People who have serious long-term effects from a spinal cord injury can also develop a number of other complications such as skin sores or infections and severe muscle cramps or spasm. This is where specialist equipment can help make daily life more comfortable.

SCI rehabilitation is an ongoing process. Home aids and modifications are among the most important environmental barriers for patients with spinal cord injury. Specially designed equipment tailored to the patient help to elevate a sense of independence and self-confidence.

 

 

 

 

 

Spinal cord injured patients have a high risk of developing pressure ulcers due to motor and sensory impairments, immobility, changes in skin composition, and prolonged hospital stays. It’s important to be able to manage the pressure areas to avoid re-hospitalisation, increased care needs and a decline in the patient’s wellbeing and health.

We've selected these articles to help you find out more about the concerns with pressure injuries and how shower commode chairs can help manage the condition.

Managing pressure in shower commode chairs, particularly in the case of spinal injury patients >>

Challenges faced by spinal injury patients using shower commode chairs particularly in relation to managing pressure >>

Watch our presentation on moulded shower seats

 

Equipment can also provide protection against injury, protection for the skin, provide postural support and help to prevent injury to the caregiver.

Wealden Rehab has worked with Occupational Therapists and carers over many years and accustomed to accommodating end users with equipment to help with their daily challenges.

Each patient will require a different level of support and home care equipment needs. We hope these resources help with their rehabilitation journey. 

The majority of SCI's are due to preventable trauma and symptoms depend on severity of injury and its location on the spinal cord. 

  • Falls
  • Sports injuries
  • Diving accidents
  • Trampoline accidents
  • Violence (gunshot or stab wounds)
  • Infections that form an abscess on the spinal cord
  • Birth injuries, which typically affect the spinal cord in the neck area

Good equipment will reduce the risk to the individual of developing secondary conditions e.g.

  • DVT
  • UTI's
  • Muscle Spasms
  • osteoporosis
  • pressure ulcers
  • chronic pain
  • respiratory complications

Equipment for Independence is generally provided by social services and equipment for nursing by the NHS - equipment provided by these normally comes from the local integrated equipment stores (ICES) and is on loan to the person requiring it for as long as it is needed. Provision is always assessed on individual need and must be the most cost-effective solution based on the clinical reasoning of the professional supplying it. Privately purchased equipment - e.g., through insurance is less restricted by funding issues though sound clinical reasoning is still required to ensure suitable provision.

Download our RAZ assessment form for your SCI patients

Our handy assessment form will ensure you have covered all aspects of the user's needs and environment.

SCI RAZ assessment form

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