Rehabilitation of patients after spinal cord injury

It was not in vain that nature took care of the safety of the central nervous system organs – brain is reliably protected by the bones of the skull and the spinal cord is in a strong bone framework, which is represented by the vertebral column. However in some cases intensity of the received injuries is so pronounced that the vertebrae are unable to protect the spinal cord and this leads to spinal cord injuries. Mortality rate as a result of this type of injury is very high, it depends on the location and degree of damage, timeliness of emergency care and medical capabilities available in the arsenal of a particular healthcare institution. But even if doctors manage to stabilize the patient’s condition, subsequent recovery and prognosis will largely depend on the implemented rehabilitation measures. Here it is important not only to restore the lost physical functions, psychological and social rehabilitation is of great importance, since rhythm and lifestyle are change completely in a patient with such injuries. Crucial point of rehabilitation measures in patients with spinal cord injury is ergotherapy – actions aimed at restoring selfcare skills in order to minimize the degree of dependence on others. Several specialists, the actions of which must be strictly coordinated, should take part in the rehabilitation of patients with a spinal cord injury. The sooner the start of rehabilitation measures is, the greater are the chances for the patient to restore vital functions.