Spinal Cord Injury
Rebuild strength, improve mobility, and maximise independence with personalised physiotherapy after a Spinal Cord Injury.
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Take the First Step Towards Better Movement
Our experienced physiotherapists are here to help you improve mobility, regain strength, and move with greater comfort and confidence.
What is Spinal Cord Injury?
A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) occurs when the spinal cord is damaged, affecting the communication between the brain and parts of the body below the level of injury. Depending on the location and severity of the injury, a person may experience changes in movement, sensation, muscle strength, balance, coordination, and bladder or bowel function. A spinal cord injury may be complete or incomplete, and recovery varies significantly from person to person. At Pure Physio, rehabilitation focuses on maximising physical function, maintaining joint mobility, building strength, improving balance and mobility, preventing complications, and supporting the highest possible level of independence.
Complete Spinal Cord Injury: There is no preserved sensory or motor function in the lowest sacral segments.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: Some sensory and/or motor function remains below the level of injury.
The pattern of recovery and function varies widely between individuals.
What Are The Symptoms Of Spinal Cord Injury?
The symptoms of a spinal cord injury vary depending on the level and severity of the injury. A person may experience muscle weakness or paralysis below the level of injury, loss or changes in sensation, numbness, tingling, difficulty moving the arms or legs, poor balance, and reduced coordination. Injuries affecting the neck may cause weakness or paralysis in both the arms and legs, while injuries lower in the spine may mainly affect the trunk and legs. Other symptoms can include difficulty with breathing, changes in bladder or bowel function, muscle spasms or increased muscle stiffness, nerve pain, changes in blood pressure regulation, and difficulty controlling body temperature. Some people may also experience reduced sexual function. Symptoms can develop immediately after trauma or may worsen when swelling or pressure around the spinal cord increases. Any suspected spinal cord injury requires urgent medical assessment.
What Are The Causes Of Spinal Cord Injury?
Spinal cord injuries can result from traumatic or non-traumatic causes.
Road Traffic Accidents: High-impact collisions can cause fractures or dislocations that damage the spinal cord.
Falls: A significant fall may cause spinal trauma and spinal cord damage.
Sports Injuries: Diving, contact sports, and other high-impact activities can cause spinal injuries.
Violence: Penetrating or severe traumatic injuries can damage the spine and spinal cord.
Spinal Fractures or Dislocations: Unstable spinal injuries may compress, stretch, or damage the spinal cord.
Tumours: Growths affecting the spinal cord or surrounding structures can cause spinal cord compression.
Infections: Certain infections may damage or compress the spinal cord.
Inflammatory Conditions: Conditions affecting the spinal cord may cause inflammation and neurological impairment.
Degenerative Spinal Conditions: Severe spinal canal narrowing can sometimes place pressure on the spinal cord.
Vascular Problems: Reduced blood supply or bleeding affecting the spinal cord can cause injury.
Diagnosis Of Spinal Cord Injury
Emergency Medical Assessment: Suspected spinal cord injuries require immediate assessment and stabilisation to prevent further damage.
Medical History: Doctors will assess how the injury occurred, symptoms, previous health conditions, and relevant medical information.
Physical Examination: The body is examined for signs of trauma, spinal injury, and other associated injuries.
Neurological Examination: Muscle strength, sensation, reflexes, and movement are assessed to determine the extent of neurological impairment.
ASIA / ISNCSCI Assessment: A standard neurological examination may be used to classify the level and severity of spinal cord injury.
X-Rays: X-rays may help identify fractures, dislocations, and spinal alignment problems.
CT Scan: CT provides detailed images of spinal bones and can help identify fractures and structural injuries.
MRI Scan: MRI can assess the spinal cord, discs, ligaments, bleeding, swelling, and other soft tissues.
Additional Investigations: Further tests may be required to assess breathing, bladder function, circulation, or other complications.
Treatment Of Spinal Cord Injury
Treatment depends on the cause, level, severity, and type of spinal cord injury.
Emergency Stabilisation: Immediate medical care focuses on protecting the airway, breathing, circulation, and preventing further spinal damage.
Spinal Immobilisation: The spine may be stabilised to prevent unnecessary movement during the acute stage.
Surgery: Surgery may be required to relieve pressure on the spinal cord or stabilise fractures and spinal instability.
Medication: Doctors may prescribe medication for pain, muscle spasms, infections, blood pressure management, or other complications.
Respiratory Care: People with higher-level injuries may require specialised support for breathing and airway clearance.
Bladder and Bowel Management: A structured programme may be required to support regular and safe bladder and bowel function.
Skin Care and Pressure Relief: Regular positioning and skin checks help reduce the risk of pressure injuries.
Spasticity Management: Treatment may include positioning, stretching, physiotherapy, medication, or other specialist interventions.
Pain Management: A multidisciplinary approach may be used to manage nerve pain and musculoskeletal discomfort.
Physiotherapy: Rehabilitation focuses on mobility, strength, joint movement, balance, transfers, standing, walking where possible, and functional independence.
Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy supports independence with personal care, daily activities, upper-limb function, and adaptive equipment.
Psychological and Social Support: Adjustment following an SCI can be significant, and appropriate psychological, family, and social support may form part of rehabilitation.
Assistive Technology: Wheelchairs, standing frames, braces, walking aids, and other equipment may support mobility and independence.
Long-Term Rehabilitation: Ongoing rehabilitation and follow-up may help manage changing needs and maximise participation in daily life.
What Is The Physiotherapy Treatment Of Spinal Cord Injury
Comprehensive Physical Assessment: At Pure Physio, we assess muscle strength, sensation, joint mobility, muscle tone, balance, posture, breathing-related movement, transfers, mobility, and functional independence.
Individualised Rehabilitation Programme: Your programme is tailored according to the level and severity of injury, neurological function, physical abilities, medical status, and personal goals.
Positioning and Pressure Care: We provide guidance on safe positioning and regular movement to help protect the skin and reduce the risk of pressure injuries.
Range of Motion Exercises: Regular passive or active exercises help maintain joint mobility and reduce the risk of stiffness and contractures.
Stretching and Spasticity Management: Carefully selected stretching and positioning strategies may help manage muscle stiffness and maintain movement.
Strengthening Exercises: Progressive exercises target muscles with available voluntary control to improve strength and functional ability.
Core and Trunk Control: Exercises may help improve sitting balance, trunk stability, and functional movement.
Balance Training: Therapy may focus on improving sitting or standing balance according to the individual’s ability.
Bed Mobility Training: Rehabilitation may include practising rolling, repositioning, and moving safely in bed.
Transfer Training: Physiotherapy can help develop safe techniques for transferring between the bed, wheelchair, chair, toilet, or other surfaces.
Wheelchair Mobility Training: Training may support safe and efficient wheelchair use and independence.
Standing Rehabilitation: Standing frames or other supported standing strategies may be used when medically appropriate.
Walking Rehabilitation: For individuals with sufficient neurological recovery, physiotherapy may focus on gait retraining, balance, strengthening, and the appropriate use of walking aids or orthoses.
Functional Electrical Stimulation: In selected cases, electrical stimulation may be used as part of a specialist rehabilitation programme.
Respiratory Physiotherapy: For appropriate individuals, treatment may help support breathing, coughing, and airway clearance.
Upper-Limb Rehabilitation: Targeted exercises may support arm and hand strength and function.
Cardiovascular Fitness: Carefully adapted exercise can support general fitness and physical health.
Functional Movement Training: Therapy focuses on meaningful activities such as reaching, sitting, standing, transferring, walking, or wheelchair mobility.
Home Exercise Programme: A personalised programme supports continued movement, strength, and functional practice between sessions.
Caregiver Education: Families and caregivers may receive guidance on safe assistance, positioning, mobility, and exercise support.
Progress Monitoring: Rehabilitation is regularly reviewed and adjusted according to neurological recovery, strength, mobility, function, and individual goals.
Why Choose Pure Physio?
Comprehensive Neurological Assessment: We assess strength, movement, sensation, joint mobility, muscle tone, balance, posture, transfers, and functional ability.
Personalised Rehabilitation Plans: Your programme is tailored to your level of injury, neurological function, physical abilities, recovery stage, and personal goals.
Focus on Maximising Independence: Rehabilitation targets meaningful skills that support everyday independence and participation.
Maintain Joint Mobility: Regular movement and positioning strategies help maintain flexibility and reduce the risk of contractures.
Build Available Strength: Progressive exercises focus on improving the strength and control of muscles with available function.
Improve Sitting and Standing Control: Therapy targets balance and postural control according to individual ability.
Support Safe Transfers: Practical training helps develop confidence and independence when moving between different surfaces.
Walking Rehabilitation Where Appropriate: For suitable individuals, rehabilitation supports gait recovery and safe mobility.
Wheelchair Mobility Support: Training helps improve confidence and independence with wheelchair use.
Manage Spasticity and Movement Limitations: Rehabilitation includes appropriate movement, stretching, and positioning strategies.
Respiratory Rehabilitation: When required, physiotherapy can support breathing and airway function.
Functional and Goal-Based Therapy: Treatment focuses on activities that matter most to the individual.
Family and Caregiver Guidance: Practical education helps support safe mobility and ongoing rehabilitation.
Home Rehabilitation Support: You receive a personalised programme to continue appropriate exercises and functional practice.
Regular Progress Monitoring: Your treatment is reviewed and adapted according to neurological recovery, physical progress, and changing goals.
Integrated Multidisciplinary Care: We work alongside doctors, spinal specialists, rehabilitation teams, occupational therapists, nurses, and other healthcare professionals when required.
Focused on Long-Term Function and Quality of Life: Our goal is to maximise physical function, support independence, improve mobility, and help you participate in the activities that matter most.
Start Your Recovery Journey Today
Don’t let pain, stiffness, or reduced mobility affect your daily life. Get personalised physiotherapy care designed around your condition and recovery goals.