Spinal Cord Injuries - What are they and how does physiotherapy help?
What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI): An Overview
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord that results in a loss of function, such as mobility and sensation. The severity depends on the level and extent of the injury, and it can lead to temporary or permanent disabilities.
Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can occur due to:
Trauma:
Car accidents (most common cause)
Falls (especially in elderly individuals)
Sports injuries (e.g., diving, football, gymnastics)
Violence (gunshot or stabbing injuries)
Non-Traumatic Causes:
Tumors pressing on the spinal cord
Infections (e.g., tuberculosis, meningitis)
Degenerative conditions (e.g., spinal stenosis, multiple sclerosis)
Stroke affecting the spinal cord
Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury
The symptoms depend on the level and severity of the injury.
1. Complete vs. Incomplete Injury
Complete SCI: Total loss of sensation and movement below the injury.
Incomplete SCI: Some function and sensation remain below the injury level.
2. Symptoms Based on Injury Level
Cervical (Neck) Injury (C1-C8): Paralysis in arms, hands, trunk, and legs (quadriplegia/tetraplegia).
Thoracic (Upper Back) Injury (T1-T12): Loss of function in legs and trunk (paraplegia), but arms are unaffected.
Lumbar/Sacral (Lower Back) Injury (L1-S5): Weakness in legs, bladder/bowel dysfunction, possible walking difficulty.
3. General Symptoms
Loss of movement and sensation below the injury
Difficulty breathing (if injury is high in the neck)
Loss of bladder and bowel control
Spasticity or flaccidity in muscles
Pain or tingling sensations in affected areas
Physiotherapy Management of Spinal Cord Injuries
Physiotherapy plays a critical role in improving mobility, function, and independence after SCI.
1. Acute Phase (Hospital/ICU Stage)
Positioning and Preventing Bedsores
Breathing Exercises (if high-level injury affects respiration)
Passive Range of Motion (ROM) Exercises to prevent stiffness
Early Mobilisation (if possible)
2. Rehabilitation Phase
Strength Training: Exercises for functional muscles
Gait Training: If the patient has partial leg function, assisted walking with braces or parallel bars
Balance and Coordination: Balance exercises, proprioception exercises, core stabilisation/control exercises
Electrical Stimulation (TENS, FES): Helps activate paralysed muscles
Wheelchair Training: For mobility and daily activities
3. Long-Term Physiotherapy
Adaptive Training: Training to use assistive devices (e.g., walkers, braces)
Maintenance and continued Strengthening: Muscles still have the ability to strengthen and adapt years down the line if there is nerve innervation. Maintaining physical strength and conditioning is important long term.
Hydrotherapy: Water exercises to reduce strain on joints, this can be beneficial or a preference for rehas
Pain Management: Stretching, massage, and modalities (heat therapy)
Benefits of Home Physiotherapy for Spinal Cord Injuries
Convenience & Comfort: No need to travel, reducing stress and fatigue.
Personalised Care: Tailored rehabilitation in the patient’s familiar environment.
Improved Safety: Reduces the risk of infections (in clinic/hospital environments and falls).
Family Involvement: Educates family members to assist in exercises and daily care. Great for motivation too.
Consistent Therapy: Regular sessions at home improve adherence to rehab plans. Continuity with the same physiotherapists.
How Can Home Physio Company Help?
We have a fantastic team of Neurological/Orthopaedic/MSK Physiotherapists who provide specialist personalised rehabilitation for individuals who have suffered from a spinal cord injury. Providing a personalised approach is really important, each and every individual will present with slightly different symptoms, levels of mobility, power, range of motion, spasticity (if any) and balance. Assessing individual symptoms and generating a progressive physiotherapy program is what we do to help our patients reach their goals.
✅ One-to-One Therapy Sessions: Focused attention from skilled physiotherapists for 45-60 minutes.
✅ Personalised Exercise Plans: Programs designed for specific needs, symptoms and levels based on your goals.
✅ Assistive Device Training: Guidance on using wheelchairs, AFO’s, and walkers.
✅ Pain and Spasticity Management: Through massage, stretching, electrotherapy and medication if required.
✅ Family Education: Training caregivers to help with daily activities.
At Home Physio Company we work to provide physiotherapy input quickly to ensure our patients make the most of their days and start working to reach their goals. Having physiotherapy after a Spinal Cord Injury ensures faster recovery, improved quality of life, and greater independence.
