Neurorehabilitation & Pain

Patient guides Neurorehabilitation

Spinal Cord Injury: Specialist Summary

Medically reviewed by Prof. Dr. Engin Çakar, PM&R specialist · Updated

Spinal cord injury is a serious condition in which damage to the spinal cord, from trauma or non-traumatic causes (tumour, infection, vascular or inflammatory disease), can affect movement, sensation, bladder and bowel function and breathing. The level of injury and whether it is complete or incomplete are the main factors shaping functional outlook. After the acute phase, long-term multidisciplinary rehabilitation and prevention of complications are essential.

When to see a doctor

  • Emergency: neck or back pain after trauma with weakness or numbness in the arms or legs; do not move the person
  • Progressive leg weakness, loss of sensation or loss of bladder/bowel control without trauma
  • After injury: sudden severe headache, sweating and high blood pressure (autonomic dysreflexia, especially in injuries at T6 or above), fever and urinary infection signs, pressure sores, shortness of breath, leg swelling

Treatment options

  • Acute phase: spinal stabilisation, surgical decompression when needed, intensive care
  • Neurorehabilitation: strengthening, transfer and wheelchair training, standing and walking practice, occupational therapy, bladder and bowel programmes, respiratory rehabilitation
  • Robotic therapies in neurorecovery: robotic arm-hand therapy and robotic gait training as support in suitable patients, depending on level
  • Stimulation methods: functional electrical stimulation and investigational spinal cord or brain stimulation approaches; suitability is assessed individually
  • Managing complications: spasticity, neuropathic pain, pressure sores, respiratory problems in higher injuries, osteoporosis and psychological support

Prof. Dr. Engin Çakar plans rehabilitation programmes individually after assessment, within the DrCakar NeuroRecovery Method.

Frequently asked questions

Can a person walk again after spinal cord injury? It depends on the level of injury and whether it is complete; regaining function is more likely in incomplete injuries. Even with examination, precise prediction is limited.

How long does rehabilitation take? Usually an intensive period of months, followed by lifelong follow-up.

How are bladder problems managed? A personalised bladder programme is planned together with urology.

Sources

Turkish version: doktorfizik.com/rehber/omurilik-yaralanmasi/