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) ...
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 ...
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 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 ...
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 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 ...
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 ...
Part of the Hot Topics Series: Exercise and Fitness after Spinal Cord Injury
This 19-minute video features individuals with SCI who share their fitness routines and explain how exercise has improved their quality of life. The video also includes expert input from health care professionals at the University of Pittsburgh Model ...
Having a spinal cord injury (SCI) does not affect your ability to naturally become pregnant, carry, and deliver a baby, so your decision to have children is made in much the same way as anyone else. This infocomic includes information on pregnancy with SCI to answer the common questions women ...
What is the study about?
This study looked at the prevalence and characteristics of women with spinal cord injury (SCI) who became pregnant during a one year period prior to the study. This study offers insight into the physical, social and demographic characteristics of women with SCI who become pregnant and ...
Are you thinking about getting pregnant?
Having a spinal cord injury (SCI) does not affect your ability to naturally become pregnant, carry, and deliver a baby, so your decision to have children is made in much the same way as anyone else. You consider the demands and challenges of parenting and ...
People with SCI are more likely than the general population to have health problems related to not being active. Regular exercise can help to reduce the risk of health problems after SCI.
What is the study about?
Most individuals with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) have shoulder pain. The study investigated the effects of a 12-week home exercise program (HEP) on shoulder pain and function in people with chronic SCI that focused on the supraspinatus tendon (a tendon located on the back of ...
This is a part of the Hot Topic podcast series from the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center on Exercise and Fitness After Spinal Cord Injury Amanda Harrington, M.D., Medical Director, discusses Strengthening and Protecting the Shoulders.
The human body was designed to walk on our legs, and our legs tend to ...
This is a part of the Hot Topic podcast series from the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center on Exercise and Fitness After Spinal Cord Injury. Lynn Worobey, PhD, DPT, ATP, researcher, discusses Accessing Adaptive Equipment.
A barrier that some people might find with different types of fitness is … for sports, ...
This is a part of the Hot Topic podcast series from the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center on Exercise and Fitness After Spinal Cord Injury. Michael Boninger M.D, researcher, discusses The Benefits of Team Sports.
I think team sports and spinal cord injury bring in not only fitness, so you’re propelling ...
This is a part of the Hot Topic podcast series from the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center on Exercise and Fitess After Spinal Cord Injury. Lee Tempest, SCI Survivor, discusses About Hand Cycling.
A little bit about what a hand cycle is. So it’s a bike that you — it’s kind ...