Inpatient Spinal Cord Injury Program
The Spinal Cord Injury Program offers comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation services for adults with traumatic or nontraumatic spinal cord disorders, including contusions, fractures, tumors, myelitis and such degenerative diseases as spinal stenosis. Spinal cord injury can create a range of symptoms and complications, from mild weakness to complete paralysis of the arms and/or legs, changes in sensation, loss of bowel and/or bladder control, spasms of the affected limbs and abnormal blood pressure or body temperature control. Located within an acute care hospital, the spinal cord injury program draws on a wide range of resources to handle the more serious complications of spinal cord injury such as upper respiratory infections, thrombophlebitis, pressure sores and heterotopic ossification.
Program Goals
The goal of the Spinal Cord Injury Program is to help patients achieve their highest personal level of functioning. Goals are achieved through individualized programs to meet the unique needs of those with spinal cord injury or dysfunction. The interdisciplinary team of professionals is trained in the physical and psychological needs of spinal cord injury patients. Community re-integration and self-management are major objectives of each patient's treatment plan, and practicing self-care and mobility skills is an essential part of that plan.
Education is a fundamental component of the program. Patients and their families have access to informational materials, classes and support to aid the psychosocial adjustment of living with a spinal cord injury. The severity of injuries and the resulting physical problems vary from patient to patient. Therefore, each patient's goals are tailored to meet his/her specific needs. A team of professionals helps patients:
- strengthen and stretch muscle groups for the entire body
- master mobility skills to re-enter the community
- select and purchase adaptive equipment
- learn to manage bowel and bladder problems
- master new methods of mobility and the use of adaptive equipment
- learn pain management techniques
- address sexuality issues through education and support
- develop high-level wheelchair skills
- learn skin care management and tolerance
- create home exercise programs to maintain and increase function
Interdisiplinary Professional Team
The Inova Rehabilitation Center's interdisciplinary team includes the following professionals:
- physiatrists (rehab physicians)
- case managers
- rehabilitation nurses
- physical therapists
- occupational therapists
- speech/language pathologists
- therapeutic recreation specialists
- neuropsychologists
- social workers
- respiratory therapists
- dietitians
- chaplain
These professionals are committed to helping patients achieve their highest level of independent functioning and preventing long-term complications.
