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Spinal cord injuries occur as a result of injury or disease to the spine. The trauma fractures or dislocates vertebrae and tears spinal cord tissue. Most injuries do not completely sever spinal cord tissue; instead the injury is more likely to result in compression of the vertebrae or fractures destroying the nerve cells that carry signals up and down the spinal cord between the brain and the rest of the body. The number of nerve cells destroyed depends upon the severity of the injury. Sometimes, spinal cord patients can make a complete recovery through surgery and rehabilitation. Others may have complete or some degree of paralysis.
Desert Canyon Rehabilitation Hospital offers comprehensive, personalized rehabilitation services for spinal cord injury patients. The goal of the program will be to work together as a team (you, your family and our staff) to develop a comprehensive therapy program specifically designed to meet your individualized therapy goals. We will work with you, every step of the way, to assist you in regaining function and in coping with the physical and psychological impact of your injury so that you can achieve optimal living.
Recent studies have shown that aggressive and early treatment can minimize the physical impact of damage to the nervous system. Rehabilitation may even restore limited abilities. Desert Canyon will combine physical therapy with skill-building activities and counseling to provide a nurturing environment. Spinal cord injuries are diagnosed as either “complete” or “incomplete”. Incomplete injuries mean that the spinal cord’s ability to convey messages to or from the brain is not completely lost. Patients with these types of injuries have some motor or sensory function. Complete injuries result in a total loss of sensory and motor function. These patients may have medical complications including chronic pain, bladder and bowel dysfunction and potentially heart and respiratory problems. Successful recovery is determined through day-to-day management of these chronic conditions.
Personalized Care
When you arrive at Desert Canyon you will be met by your Rehabilitation Therapy Team. This team of professional doctors, nurses and therapists will conduct a comprehensive evaluation. We then work with you and your family to develop a team treatment strategy that is specifically tailored to your individual needs and goals.
Your stay with us will include daily therapy. You will also have time for recreation and socialization to the extent you are able with our other guests. If you like, your plan can also include some personal time for reflection or perhaps meditation in our outdoor therapy garden. We recognize that therapy is about healing the whole person – body and mind.
Your care team and personalized services
At Desert Canyon, our physiatrists -- doctors who specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation -- will assemble a professional staff of therapists who will be available to you during your stay. These professionals are your personal treatment team in addition to the dieticians, recreation therapists, and any other consulting specialists or ancillary staff. You can rest assured that whatever your specific needs are, we will have a superior team of clinical and rehabilitation specialists ready to assist you.
Your rehabilitation experience will depend upon what you need to become independent. You may have needs in the following areas:
- · Mobility skills such as walking, using a wheelchair or transferring
- · Self-care skills such as feeding, bathing, dressing
- · Communication skills in speech and language
- · Cognitive skills such as memory or problem-solving
- · Social skills for interacting with other people
The number of services you receive will depend on your needs. Services may include:
- · Rehabilitation nursing
- · Physical therapy
- · Occupational therapy
- · Speech-language therapy
- · Nutrition care
- · Rehabilitation counseling
- · Social work
- · Psychiatry/psychology
- · Chaplaincy
- · Patient/family education
- · Support groups
- · Community resources
Education and Support
Part of your therapy experience with us will include reinforcing your progress and understanding all facets of spinal cord injury. Along with actual therapy and skill rebuilding, we will provide you with education about spinal cord injury. We also will provide you and your family with access to community resources that you may find helpful once you return home. These resources include local support groups; adaptive equipment and daily living needs; and many more.
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