Life-Long Issues

Prevention and Management of Secondary Conditions (from Rehabilitation to Life)

Many of the issues mentioned and described in the section under “acute” (intensive care unit) injuries still exist once the patient is transferred to the rehabilitation unit. The approach to treatment of many of these issues often becomes more aggressive and will be described below. In addition, other new issues will be described in this section. Finally, there are issues that will remain lifelong for the patient. With appropriate knowledge and understanding, the management of the negative effects of these issues on the patient can be minimized or prevented.

The main goal of this section is to give a comprehensive description of issues that result directly or indirectly from the spinal cord injury. A full understanding of these issues allows the patient to appropriately manage them and maximize quality of life and health.