Understanding Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

A type of spinal cord injury affecting all four limbs, usually due to a neck injury.

Spinal cord injury in the neck region (C1-C8).

Spinal cord injury in the middle/lower back (T1-T12).

Spinal cord injury in the lower back (L1-L5).

Spinal cord injury at the very bottom of the spine (S1-S5).

A spinal cord injury affecting the lower half of the body (legs and trunk).

Acronym for Spinal Cord Injury

There are over 15 million people with spinal cord injury globally, with over 500,000 cases annually.

Reducing cardiovascular system size (smaller cavity sizes and mass, reduced left ventricle mass and chamber dimension) to improve health.

Addressing pain, contractions, and limited movement in the shoulder, a common issue for SCI patients, especially wheelchair users.

Stopping muscle loss (atrophy), changing fiber types, increasing intramuscular fat, and managing spasticity/contractures.

Stopping a decline in bone mass in the hips and knees (approximately 30-50% in the first year after injury), important for SCI patients.

Using electrical impulses to stimulate muscles, delaying muscle loss, and improving metabolic health, to enhance bone health.

Exercise helps for preventing and managing shoulder pain, essential for improving mobility and well-being.

Exercise improves muscle strength and trunk stabilization leading to greater support.

Elastic bands enable various exercises for improved body function with lower injury risk.

Home-based training is affordable and accessible with fewer limitations compared to other training methods.

FES improves muscle size, function, and metabolism, while potentially reducing tissue damage and discomfort.

Handcycling is more energy-efficient than using a wheelchair, leading to less strain on the shoulders.

Handcycling reduces shoulder strain compared to wheelchair propulsion. This is important because many wheelchair users experience shoulder pain.

Handcycling is a common exercise for people with spinal cord injuries (SCI), helping them improve physical capacity.

Aerobic capacity (how efficiently your body uses oxygen) improves with exercise for SCI individuals. This benefits daily living and activities.

Steve wants to improve his wheelchair basketball performance by increasing his wheelchair pushing force and aerobic capacity.

Steve can improve his cardiovascular health and wheelchair pushing power by using a hand exercise bike.

Highly trained handcyclists with SCI have significantly higher force output and aerobic capacity compared to untrained individuals with SCI.

Improved aerobic capacity for people with SCI can lead to a stronger heart, better blood flow, lower blood pressure, and reduced cholesterol.

The average number of social connections someone with a spinal cord injury (SCI) has. For people with SCI, this is typically around 4.

The average number of social connections a person in the general population has. This is typically around 10.

Feeling lonely and disconnected from others, even if you have a strong social network.

A change in the size, quality, or availability of social connections, often happening after a life-changing event like SCI.

Living without someone who is part of your social network in the same household.

Activities that can help people with SCI maintain their social networks and prevent feelings of isolation.

Pain that lasts for a long time after a spinal cord injury, affecting daily life, sleep, mental health, and physical activity.

Strategies to address chronic pain, such as medication, therapy, or lifestyle changes.

Steve has a T-9 incomplete spinal cord injury, meaning he has lost function below the T-9 vertebrae but still has some motor function.

A complete injury means there is no motor or sensory function below the level of the injury. An incomplete injury means some function remains below the injury site.

Steve experiences fatigue and dizziness, limiting his ability to use a wheelchair for long distances and engage in complex tasks.

Steve engages in activities like wheelchair propulsion, handcycling, wheelchair basketball, resistance training, and stretching.

Steve's ability to participate in different aspects of life such as employment, social gatherings, exercise, and community events.

Factors that influence Steve's ability to participate in life, such as accessibility, transportation, and home modifications.

Internal factors that influence Steve's recovery and participation, like age, motivation, and lifestyle.

Steve uses resistance training to maintain muscle strength and improve function.

People with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) often experience social isolation, which can lead to mental health challenges like depression.

The number of people with SCI in Canada is significant, with a clear understanding of the prevalence crucial for healthcare planning and resource allocation.

Regular physical activity is essential for individuals with SCI, to prevent muscle loss, improve cardiovascular health, and enhance overall well-being.

People with SCI often have unique nutritional needs due to changes in metabolism and activity levels, requiring careful monitoring and intervention.

Stretching exercises are vital to prevent contractures (muscle tightening) and improve flexibility, crucial for maintaining mobility in SCI.

FES is a technique using electrical currents to stimulate muscles, helping to maintain muscle health and improve functional abilities in SCI.

Setting specific goals for rehabilitation is a crucial aspect of recovery for individuals with SCI, fostering motivation and progress.