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Spinal Cord Injury C1-C8 | OT Miri

OT Miri・25 minutes read

Spinal cord injuries at various levels have different effects on patients' mobility and independence, requiring specific care and adaptive devices for daily activities. Understanding functional outcomes at each level is crucial for promoting independence and quality of life for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

Insights

  • Different levels of spinal cord injuries require varying levels of care and assistance, with specific equipment and adaptations necessary for mobility, communication, and daily activities.
  • Understanding the functional outcomes at each level of spinal cord injury is crucial for promoting independence, with a focus on adaptive devices, mobility options, and management of conditions like autonomic dysreflexia and orthostatic hypotension.

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Recent questions

  • What are the common impairments associated with spinal cord injuries?

    Spinal cord injuries can lead to impairments such as limited mobility, difficulty in breathing, lack of hand and wrist movements, and the need for assistance in daily care activities.

  • How do patients with C1-C3 spinal cord injuries communicate?

    Patients with C1-C3 injuries rely on environmental control units and high-tech communication devices for effective communication due to limited head and neck movement.

  • What are the mobility options for patients with C5 spinal cord injuries?

    Patients with C5 injuries may use a power wheelchair with arm drive control for mobility and pressure relief cushions for skin protection to enhance independence in movement.

  • How can patients with C6 spinal cord injuries enhance independence in daily activities?

    Patients with C6 injuries can use adaptive devices for grooming, dressing, bathing, and shoe adaptations to compensate for limited grasp and promote independence in daily living tasks.

  • What are the key symptoms and management strategies for autonomic dysreflexia?

    Autonomic dysreflexia, a life-threatening condition in spinal cord injury patients, presents symptoms like high blood pressure, headache, and sweating. Management involves placing the patient upright, removing triggers, and checking for causes like bladder or bowel distension to prevent complications.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

Understanding Spinal Cord Injury Levels and Care

  • Spinal cord injury levels are being discussed, with a focus on approaching the content area practically.
  • The spinal cord acts as a communication conduit between the brain and the body, with injuries leading to various impairments.
  • C1 through C3 injuries require a ventilator for breathing, with limited head and neck movement necessitating total assistance for all care aspects.
  • C1 through C3 patients need a power wheelchair with tilt and recline functions for mobility and pressure relief mattresses for skin protection.
  • Environmental control units and high-tech communication devices are crucial for C1 through C3 patients for communication.
  • C4 injuries allow for breathing without a ventilator, with limited shoulder movement and similar care needs as C1 through C3.
  • C5 injuries lack wrist and hand movements, requiring adaptive devices for eating and grooming, along with mobile arm supports for arm weight support.
  • C5 patients need a power wheelchair with arm drive control for mobility and pressure relief cushions for skin protection.
  • C6 injuries have wrist extension, aiming to develop a tenodesis grasp for functional activities like picking up objects.
  • C6 patients may use a full electric hospital bed or a standard bed, with the ability to transfer independently using a transfer board on even surfaces.

19:35

Enhancing Independence in Spinal Cord Injury Patients

  • Transition from high-tech hospital bed to standard bed at home for patients with spinal cord injuries at level C6
  • Use of transfer board for easier transfers between bed and wheelchair
  • Adaptive devices for grooming and dressing independently, such as front-opening clothes, buttonhooks, and velcro closure bras
  • Adaptations for shoes to enhance independence, like velcro or elastic shoelaces
  • Importance of understanding functional outcomes at each level of spinal cord injury for promoting independence
  • Adaptive tools for bathing for patients with limited hand function at level C6
  • Use of adaptive devices to compensate for limited grasp and promote independence in activities of daily living at level C6
  • Wheelchair mobility options for patients at level C6, including power wheelchairs with arm drive control or manual lightweight wheelchairs
  • Functional outcomes at level C7 include independence in self-care activities with minimal reliance on adaptive equipment
  • Ability to perform depression transfers independently at level C7
  • Patients at level C8 are highly independent in self-care due to greater hand function and good functional use of upper extremities
  • Autonomic dysreflexia is a life-threatening condition with symptoms like high blood pressure, headache, and sweating, triggered by strong or painful stimuli
  • Orthostatic hypotension, common in cervical and high thoracic spinal cord injuries, causes a drop in blood pressure and can lead to lightheadedness or dizziness
  • Management of autonomic dysreflexia involves placing the patient upright, removing restrictive items, and checking for triggers like bladder or bowel distension
  • Management of orthostatic hypotension includes reclining the patient and elevating the legs to raise blood pressure
  • Encouragement to create personal stories and examples to aid in learning and retention of information about spinal cord injuries and their management.
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