Our featured video and brief video clips share information about managing bowel function after sustaining a spinal cord injury. In this video, SCI Model Systems Researchers share how they helped individuals with SCI develop a bowel program.
The pressure relief technique you use will depend on your level of injury, the type of wheelchair you use and how much movement and strength you have in your arms and shoulders.
Tilting or reclining
If you are unable to perform independent pressure reliefs, you can use a power tilt wheelchair for ...
What is the study about?
This study investigated the effectiveness of CareCall, an interactive, low-cost phone system developed for adults with spinal cord injury (SCI) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Callers to CareCall receive automated medical support and information. Researchers looked at how CareCall is used by and benefits people with SCI ...
What is the study about?
Survival within two years after spinal cord injury (SCI) has greatly improved over the past few decades, although long-term survival after the first two years has not shown significant improvement. However, people with SCI still have higher rates of mortality than people without SCI. To better ...
A pressure sore (also called pressure ulcer, decubitus ulcer, decubiti (plural), bedsore or skin breakdown) is an area of the skin or underlying tissue (muscle, bone) that is damaged due to loss of blood flow to the area. Blood flow to the skin keeps it alive and healthy. If the ...
What do I need to know?
Individuals with SCI are at high risk for developing pressure sores.
Pressure sores can be life threatening.
Possible complications:
Infections can develop and spread to the blood, heart and bone.
Amputations
Prolonged bed rest necessary for healing can keep you out of work, school and social activities for months.
Because ...
What do I need to know?
Ninety-five percent of all pressure sores are preventable!
After spinal cord injury, your skin requires daily care and a lot of attention.
You will need to spend time daily cleaning the skin, keeping it dry (from incontinence or perspiration), checking the skin for problems or changes, moving ...
What is skin tolerance?
Skin tolerance is how much time your skin can stand to be under pressure before damage starts to occur. Each person's skin tolerance is different. Some people may need to relieve pressure very often, others may not have to do it as often, but they still need ...
Areas where bones are close to the surface (called "bony prominences") and areas that are under the most pressure are at greatest risk for developing pressure sores.
In bed, body parts can be padded with pillows or foam to keep bony prominences (areas where bones are close to the skin surface) ...
How can I tell if I have a pressure sore?
First signs. One of the first signs of a possible skin sore is a reddened, discolored or darkened area (an African American’s skin may look purple, bluish or shiny). It may feel hard and warm to the touch.
A pressure sore has ...
What is the study about?
Spinal cord injuries (SCI) can be divided into two categories: 1) blunt spinal cord injury (BSCI) and 2) penetrating spinal cord injury (PSCI). The aim of this study was to compare BSCI and PSCI trauma to describe differences in the long-term functional and neurological outcomes for ...
What is the study about?
This study aims to evaluate whether the ability to feel pressure at the S3 dermatome (S3P) (on the buttock over the bone where you sit), and voluntary hip adductor(the muscle that brings the leg toward the midline) or toe flexor(curling the toes downward) contraction (VHTC) can ...
What is the study about?
This study aims to determine if the motor response on the stimulated manual muscle test (SMMT) in muscles with a grade 0 motor score on the muscle test (MMT) can distinguish lower motor neuron (LMN) from upper motor neuron (UMN) injury, based on the presence of ...
What is the study about?
This study aims to examine links between SCIRehab patients and injury characteristics, inpatient rehabilitation treatment, and outcomes at 5-years post-injury. The SCIRehab project was designed to examine what treatments lead to the best outcomes for people with SCI. Outcomes included measures of physical independence, societal participation, ...
What is the study about?
This study aims to examine the connection between body mass index (BMI) and mortality (i.e., death) after the first year post spinal cord injury (SCI). The study looked at differences across demographic (e.g., marital status, education level) and injury characteristics (i.e., neurologic category). The researcher’s previous ...
This is a podcast brief from the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center. Too often people hear these words, “I’m sorry but you have a spinal cord injury. Your paralyzed and you are probably never going to walk again.” It’s a life changing reality for the one who experiences the ...
The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center presents an audio factsheet on Understanding SCI: Part 1. The factsheet was developed by Phil Klebine, M.A., in collaboration with the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center. The information in this factsheet is not meant to replace the advice of a medical professional. You should ...
The Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center presents an audio factsheet on Understanding SCI: Part 2. The factsheet was developed by Phil Klebine, M.A., in collaboration with the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center. The information in this factsheet is not meant to replace the advice of a medical professional. You should ...
The Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Research Advocacy Course is developed by the North American Spinal Cord Injury Consortium. This free online course aims to help individuals with SCI and caregivers to serve as research advocates, and SCI researchers and healthcare providers to effectively partner with the SCI community. Register at:
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