Table of Contents-Spinal Cord Injury Manual

Table of Contents for entire Spinal Cord Injury Manual. (31 pages, 445Kb

Master Glossary-Spinal Cord Injury Manual

Master Glossary for entire Spinal Cord Injury Manual. (27 pages, 442Kb

The Spinal Column-Spinal Cord Injury Manual

The spinal cord is a part of a system called the central nervous system. The central nervous system is made up of two main structures — the brain and the spinal cord. The spinal cord is delicate tissue protected by spinal bones, which are called vertebrae. The spinal cord sits in a space through the center of the vertebrae called the spinal canal. The vertebrae are stacked one on top of another. The job of the vertebrae is to provide support and flexibility for the body and to protect the spinal cord. Discs separate the vertebrae. Discs are tough fibrous material that contains a thick fluid. The job of the discs is to act as shock absorbers or cushions so that movement throughout the back will not be painful. The vertebrae are connected to each other with a system of ligaments. These ligaments help the spinal column to remain straight, as well as give it the ability to twist and turn. When a spinal injury has occurred, often times there is damage to the ligaments. It is not uncommon for the vertebrae to be injured and the spinal cord to be fine. However, the spinal cord can be injured with or without injury to the spinal column. There are thirty vertebrae. The spinal column is divided into sections. These sections are similar to the segments of the spinal cord. These segments are: • Cervical: 7 vertebrae (neck) • Thoracic: 12 vertebrae (rib cage) • Lumbar: 5 vertebrae (mid-back) • Sacral: 5 vertebrae (lower back) (These bones fuse and become one.) • Coccyx: 1 vertebrae (“tailbone”) (31 pages, 1.75Mb

Introduction-Spinal Cord Injury Manual

About this Manual: This Spinal Cord Injury Manual is designed for use by the person with a spinal cord injury or dysfunction and his or her family. It is a guide to provide information on the many aspects of spinal cord injury and dysfunction. This handbook will help you and your family prepare for discharge from our comprehensive rehabilitation program and supplement lifelong learning about spinal cord injury and dysfunction. The handbook is divided into topic sections and bound in loose-leaf form so that a member of the health care team may use each section in addition to teaching and demonstration. Teaching will be individualized to meet your specific needs. You and your family will continually participate in your rehabilitation program in order to allow you to achieve as much knowledge and comfort as possible. Please feel free to request information. We would appreciate any comments you may have about the handbook. (25 pages, 406Kb

Travel and Transportation-Spinal Cord Injury Manual

Introduction Travel and transportation includes driving or being a passenger in a car or van, or traveling in an airplane, bus, train or ship. After a spinal cord impairment, traveling for business or pleasure can be an overwhelming experience. Being well prepared in advance will decrease stress and make your trip enjoyable. This chapter provides tips regarding traveling with a power or manual wheelchair, purchasing or renting durable medical equipment, medication management, bowel and bladder issues, traveling registrations and organizing recreational activities. Driving When you are ready to consider driving, it is suggested that you discuss financial coverage with your occupational therapist and case manager. If you are a vocational rehabilitation client, please consult with your therapist or rehabilitation counselor regarding driving evaluation, training and equipment coverage. A referral can be made to link you up to the appropriate programs that evaluate your potential to drive safely. A comprehensive evaluation will be completed to evaluate your visual skills, motor skills, reaction time, transfer skills, hand function and driving knowledge. As a result of the evaluation, a recommendation can be made as to your ability and readiness to drive. (23 pages, 389Kb

Vocational Services-Spinal Cord Injury Manual

Introduction Vocational services are available to you during the course of your rehabilitation to assist you in returning to work or school or exploring vocational and educational options. These services may be initiated while you are in the hospital and can continue after you are discharged. You may start to receive vocational services from the vocational counselor at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, and at the same time, referred to the state agency designated to assist in vocational rehabilitation. Ultimately, you may return to your pre-injury job, or you may embark on a new educational or vocational path. Vocational Consultation During the course of your rehabilitation at Magee, you will be offered the opportunity to have a consultation with a vocational counselor. The purpose of the consultation, which starts with an individual interview with the counselor, is to gather information about your previous educational and vocational experience and to assist you in exploring your options and goals. The vocational counselor will help to initiate and coordinate the services that are needed to help you resume work or attain new vocational goals. (27 pages, 394Kb

Psychosocial Issues-Spinal Cord Injury Manual

Introduction A sudden trauma like a spinal cord injury will have a significant impact on you and the people close to you. You may see parts of your life change a great deal. Other parts of your life may not change at all. Regardless of the extent of your injury and disability, being hurt and having a disruption to your life may present unexpected problems or changes. This chapter provides information about services that are available at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital and in the community to provide assistance. Coping with a Spinal Cord Injury After a spinal cord injury, you may experience many different feelings at one time or another, such as anger, worry, sadness, even hopelessness. These feelings are more likely to occur when you are under stress — as when your body undergoes dramatic changes in its functioning or when you have been in the hospital for a long time. Sometimes they are aimed in the wrong direction, like when your are really angry with one person or situation and you are nasty to someone else. While you are still basically the same person inside, there are many adjustments that you are going through. Rehabilitation is aimed at helping you learn new things — both physical and emotional, so that you can learn to live with your change of body functioning and all the changes in your life that it may bring. The emotional changes and behaviors you see in yourself may surprise you. It is important to recognize that what you are experiencing is normal, and also that what is normal for you may be very different from how someone else reacts. Really, if you think about it, it would be unnatural not to have some sort of reaction. Another aspect of dealing with this whole business of coping has to do with change. This is a transitional period for you. What is true for you today or this week may be different next week or next month. People change at their own speed. (23 pages, 371Kb

Cardiovascular-Spinal Cord Injury Manual

Introduction Cardiovascular problems affect all people who have a spinal cord injury. It has been noted to be particularly problematic for those over 65 years old and those who have been injured for more than 30 years. Due to this problem affecting many people, it needs to be addressed early in your rehabilitation as well as throughout your life. Description of the Cardiovascular System The cardiovascular system contains the heart and the blood vessels. The heart is a muscular pump in the chest that receives blood from blood vessels from all over the body. As the heart beats, it delivers blood to the lungs so that oxygen can be exchanged. This oxygenated blood is then given back to the heart and pumped to all the organs throughout the body. The blood vessels are the arteries, capillaries and veins that are located throughout the body. The blood vessels carry blood to all the tissues of the body and remove the tissues’ waste products. (19 pages, 352Kb

Sexuality-Spinal Cord Injury Manual

Introduction In this section, you will learn how spinal cord impairments can affect the way that you feel about yourself as a man or woman as well as how spinal cord impairments can affect the way that you function sexually. Information on sexuality, sexual functioning, birth control, erectile dysfunction and having a baby may be important to you today, or these issues may be something that you choose to put away and think about at another time. In either case, this information is just a starting point. Feel free to ask questions and share your concerns and thoughts with the staff. If the staff doesn’t know the answers to your questions, they will find someone who does. Sexuality When you hear the word sexuality what do you think of? For some people, it means “having sex.” For others, it includes thoughts and feelings about body image, self-esteem, appearance, communication skills, beliefs and values, relationships, and sexual function. The definitions of sexuality are different from person to person, and there is no right or wrong one. Webster’s dictionary defines sexuality as “the quality of being sexual.” But what does that mean? Whatever makes you feel like a sexual person is a part of that word’s definition. Let’s take a look at what some of these other concepts mean. (47 pages, 1.95Mb

Nutrition-Spinal Cord Injury Manual

Introduction-Why Nutrition Matters Nutrition is important for everyone to maintain good health. After a spinal cord injury, nutrition can be even more important to improve overall wellness, achieve and maintain a healthy weight and help regulate bowel and bladder function. Eating a well balanced diet can help prevent the long term complications associated with SCI such as weight gain, deconditioning and skin breakdown. A well-balanced diet can provide all of the nutrients that your body needs. Foods high in fiber, along with plenty of water, help regulate bowel function. However, if you eat more than you need, you can gain weight. The goal of a balanced diet is to consume adequate calories to maintain a healthy weight while getting all the nutrients that your body needs. If weight control is a problem, you can learn to decrease your calorie intake without giving up important nutrients, such as protein. There are several nutrition classes offered at Magee Rehabilitation Hospital to SCI inpatients and their caregivers that review general nutritional needs in SCI. In addition, a registered dietitian is available at Magee to discuss individual nutritional needs. As an inpatient, you can ask your nurse or doctor to see the dietitian. To contact a dietitian after discharge, call 215-587-3059. (27 pages, 1.55Mb