Background: In the United States, there are approximately 17,730 new spinal cord injuries each year. Among the numerous concerns those with a new spinal cord injury may have, many individuals want to know whether or not they will be able to ambulate again and to what extent. Many factors, such as injury level and the International Standards of Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) examination provide insight to clinicians and patients into the potential for recovering ambulation. Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to highlight the return to ambulation of a patient with a C5, ASIA C incomplete spinal cord injury after 33 days in inpatient rehabilitation. Case Description: A 29-year-old patient presenting to inpatient rehabilitation after sustaining a C5, ASIA C spinal cord injury. The patient was determined to return to functional ambulation. Interventions aimed at regaining ambulation include strengthening and stretching exercises for the lower extremities, functional electrical stimulation (FES), and gait training. Outcome Measures: The Continuity Assessment Record and Evaluation (CARE) Item Set's Core Mobility section, the Berg Balance Scale, the Timed Up and Go, and Gait Speeds were used to measure balance, functional mobility and ambulatory ability. Discussion: This case report supports the use of a multi-interventional, recovery focused, rehabilitation process to regain independent ambulation for an individual with incomplete spinal cord injuries. This case report details the patient’s recovery process from being dependent for basic mobility to walking without an assistive device and the interventions used to achieve this outcome.
Dissertation
Return to Independent Ambulation Post-Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Report
University of Iowa
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) , University of Iowa
Summer 2020
Free to read and download, Open Access
Abstract
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Return to Independent Ambulation Post-Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Report
- Creators
- Grant Cooper - University of Iowa
- Contributors
- Laura Frey Law (Advisor)Michael Petrie (Advisor)
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Project Type
- Case Report
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) , University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Science
- Date degree season
- Summer 2020
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- 9 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2020 Grant Cooper
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Doctor of Physical Therapy Case Reports
- Record Identifier
- 9984201419102771
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