Dual Diagnosis
Key points • Spinal cord injury (SCI) patients should be assessed for a co-occurring traumatic brain injury (TBI) on admission to a rehabilitation program. • Incidence of a dual diagnosis…
Functional Electrical Stimulation and Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injuries (SCI) can disrupt communications between the brain and the body, resulting in loss of control over otherwise intact neuromuscular systems. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) of the central…
Spasticity and the Use of Intrathecal Baclofen in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury
Muscle spasms and spasticity constitute a significant problem in patients with spinal cord injury, interfering with rehabilitation and leading to impairments in quality of life in addition to medical complications….
Spinal Cord Injury Pressure Ulcer Treatment
Pressure ulcers continue to impact the lives of spinal cord injury patients severely. Pressure ulcers must be accurately staged according to National Pressure Ulcer Advisory recommendations before treatment design. The…
Hypothermia as a Clinical Neuroprotectant
Applying therapeutic hypothermia (TH) for the purposes of neuroprotection, originally termed “hibernation,” started nearly 100 years ago. Because TH cooling systems have improved to the point where it is practical…
Strategies for Prevention of Urinary Tract Infections in Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction
In this article, the problem of urinary tract infections (UTIs) after spinal cord injury and disorders is defined, the relationship of bladder management to UTIs is discussed, and mechanical and…
Chronic Neuropathic Pain in SCI
Chronic neuropathic pain develops in approximately 40% of people after a spinal cord injury (SCI) and is notoriously difficult to treat. Because of the frequent presence of more than one…
Assessment of Neuromuscular Conditions Using Ultrasound
Upper extremity pain in persons with spinal cord injury is a common cause of morbidity. Ultrasound of nerve, muscle, and tendon has the potential to become a valuable modality in…
Foot and Ankle Problems in Dancers
The dancer’s foot and ankle are subjected to high forces and unusual stresses in training and performance. Injuries are common in dancers, and the foot and ankle are particularly vulnerable….
Updates for the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury
The International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) is the most widely used classification in the field of spinal cord injury medicine. Since its first publication in…
