As you navigate the path to recovery and independence after a spinal cord
injury (SCI), eventually you will ask, “What can I do to get better?”
Inpatient rehabilitation may be your best option for exploring new ways
to move and adjust to the physical, psychological, and emotional challenges
that come with SCI.
Rest assured that you will have the help of an entire multidisciplinary
team led by a physical rehabilitation and medicine doctor (physiatrist)
and composed of nurses, case managers, physical therapists, and occupational
therapists all dedicated to your recovery. They will help you decipher
medical terms like “neurological level,” “autonomic
dysreflexia,” and “motor return.” And they will develop
a comprehensive plan to maximize your function and recovery potential
and help you set realistic and obtainable goals to progress you toward
your long-term objectives.
So what can you expect next? Action!
Plan to work hard in physical and occupational therapy to optimize your
body function, conditioning, strength, balance, functional mobility, and
activities of daily living. Don’t be surprised if your occupational
therapist arrives first thing in the morning to go over your plan for
the day. Your therapy team will teach you the necessary techniques and
self-care skills to increase your independence—tools you will use
long after inpatient rehabilitation is over.
Your physical therapist will probably be a fanatic about getting you moving,
whether with a wheelchair or on your own two legs. Your team will guide
you through the selection of any specialized medical equipment you need,
such as a custom wheelchair evaluation by an assistive technology professional.
They will also let you know if home modifications will be needed, such
as a ramp or widened doorway to ensure equipment fits in your home.
Many individuals with SCI assume their injury means the end of their sexual
identity. Don’t. Your doctors and therapists will talk to you about
what you can expect for sexual activity and fertility. Around this time,
nurses will also work with you to understand the medical bowel and bladder
changes that often accompany SCI.
The goal of your inpatient rehabilitation experience is to give you the
proper tools and training to get you home safely, confidently, and as
independently as possible while educating you on the prevention of secondary
complications like pressure sores, pneumonia, and blood pressure issues.
But the work does not end there. Upon discharge, you will be directed to
professionals who will help you navigate “life after inpatient”
and help you set new goals to achieve your highest potential. Depending
on your healthcare provider, you may be admitted to a short-term residential
rehabilitation program that will further fine-tune your daily living skills.
Outpatient services like adaptive driving, aquatic therapy, electrical
stimulation, and robotic evaluations are often available to make your
transition back home even smoother, as are SCI community support groups.
So remember, while every SCI rehabilitation experience is unique, each
shares the same vision: overcoming disability and giving you the opportunity
to enjoy your life.
To learn more about Casa Colina's signature program in spinal cord
injury, please call 909/596-7733, ext. 3900.