Introduction
The wheelchair is a complex piece of equipment that has been extensively engineered and studied. Most individuals with SCI become wheelchair experts because doing so increases their chances of getting a wheelchair that truly meets their needs. However, power wheelchairs are technologically advanced and have many components, so it is ...
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) ...
Most people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) want to work yet need support, training and vocational rehabilitation services to help them obtain and keep a job. These sources of support may help to overcome many barriers that are outside the individual’s control, such as financial and health care issues, accessibility, ...
Opioids are drugs naturally found in the opium poppy plant. While some opioids like morphine are made from the plant directly, others such as fentanyl and tramadol are created in a lab. Opioids are often used as medicines because they can relieve pain. However, opioids can also make people feel ...
What is the spine?
The spine (also known as the “backbone”) is the connected column of bones running from your head to your lower back. A single bone is called a “vertebra” (pronounced VER-teh-brah), and multiple bones are called “vertebrae” (pronounced VER-teh-bray). The figure shows the spine and vertebrae.
The figure also ...
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 ...
Musculoskeletal pain may be due to injury or overuse of muscles or arthritis of joints. It is a common problem for all people as they get older, including those with SCI. However, you can adjust your activity in different ways to help reduce or prevent musculoskeletal pain. These activity modifications ...
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 ...
Introduction
Wheelchair breakdowns can injure wheelchair users and limit mobility and social participation. Poor wheelchair maintenance increases the risk of wheelchair breakdowns and personal injury or death, and increases the costs of medical care. The number of users injured from wheelchair breakdowns doubled from 1991 to 2016.
According to a 2016 study, ...
¿Qué es la nutrición?
La nutrición es la forma en que su cuerpo utiliza los seis nutrientes principales necesarios para la salud y su funcionamiento.
Agua
Grasas
Proteína
Vitaminas
Carbohidratos
Minerales
¿Por qué es importante la nutrición?
Su cuerpo cambia después de una lesión de la médula espinal (LME). Por lo general, hay una reducción de la masa muscular ...
What is a personal care attendant?
A personal care attendant, or PCA, is someone paid to help you with some or all of your self-care and other activities that you need for daily living after spinal cord injury (SCI).
“Personal Assistant” and “Personal Assistant Service” are other terms that refer to similar ...
Transferring in and out of your wheelchair puts higher stress on your arms and shoulders than anything else you do on a regular basis. Learning the correct way to transfer is extremely important in order to keep your arms functioning and pain-free.
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MSKTC Radio · Understanding SCI
These factsheets are intended to be a starting point for understanding the normal functions of the spinal cord and how those functions might change after spinal cord injury (SCI). The ...
Las áreas donde los huesos están próximos a la superficie (llamadas “prominencias óseas”) y las áreas que se encuentran bajo la mayor cantidad de presión tienen mayor riesgo de desarrollar úlceras por presión.
shoulder blade – omóplato
tail bone – cóccix
sit bones – esquiones
back of the knee – parte posterior de la ...
¿Qué debo saber?
Personas con lesiones en la médula espinal (SCI, por sus siglas en inglés) tienen mayor riesgo de desarrollar úlceras por presión.
Las úlceras por presión pueden poner la vida en peligro.
Posibles complicaciones:
Se pueden desarrollar infecciones y propagarse a la sangre, el corazón y los huesos.
Amputaciones
Tener que guardar cama por ...
What you need to know?
You may be able to continue driving safely again, depending on how serious your injury is and how much function you have regained.
If you can drive, you may need to buy a vehicle that suits your unique needs after the injury.
Vehicles can be altered with special ...
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 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 ...
¿Qué es tolerancia de la piel?
Tolerancia de la piel es cuánto tiempo su piel puede resistir bajo presión antes de que comience a ocurrir daño. Cada persona tiene diferente nivel de tolerancia en la piel. Algunas personas tal vez requieran aliviar la presión con mucha frecuencia, otras personas tal vez ...