An overview of traumatic spinal cord injury: part 3. Rehabilitation

Abstract

Rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) is a lifelong process that starts in the critical care setting and continues into primary care, with the aim of restoring an individual's functional skills and enabling them to regain self-sufficiency and independence. While the injury in itself is life-changing, the major factors affecting morbidity and mortality in the long term are related to complications of the SCI. Previous articles in this series have discussed the occurrence of acute complications and their immediate management, including haemodynamic and respiratory issues. These may become chronic and patients will often have to be readmitted for care. Early management aims to prevent issues arising further along the rehabilitative process; nevertheless, SCI patients are prone to pressure ulcers and neuromusculoskeletal disorders as ambulatory patients. Prevention should be the mainstay of care, and nurses have a pivotal role in this.

Talking about post‐injury sexual functioning: The views of people with spinal cord injuries—A qualitative interview study

“…The timing of the provision of information on sexual functioning has received considerable attention in the literature, much of this literature advocating that such information should be introduced during the inpatient acute rehabilitation stage of the patient's journey (Saif et al, 2013). However, the discrepancy in our respondents' views regarding best timing for this education is also reflected in the literature (Fritz et al, 2015).…”

“…Education on sexual functioning (such as genital arousal, ejaculation and orgasm) should be integral to the rehabilitation programme as maintaining a healthy sex life after SCI is important to many individuals (Hartshorn et al, 2013;Othman & Engkasan, 2011;Saif et al, 2013). SCI impacts the sexuality of men and women differently.…”