Rehabilitation Medicine Implications of Stem Cell Therapy in Spinal Cord Injury–A Review

Abstract The life expectancy in spinal cord injury has increased but no cure has been found yet. Stem cell therapy in the spinal cord injury stands high hopes of neural repair and regeneration and getting back to normal life. But for its fruitful result it is essential to know the pathophysiology of the spinal cord injury and also the treatment should be appropriately timed according to the stages of injury. Regular follow-up of these patients is very important as stem cell therapy alone without appropriate rehabilitation may not only result in failure of therapy but also patients may end up in complications such as UTI, bed sores etc. Role of rehab in spinal cord injury with respect to physiological and task oriented neuroplasticity has shown benefits in animal studies. Rehabilitation programme integrated with the stem cell therapy may help to improve the functional outcome.