Spinal Cord Injury Report

The human body contains a bundle of nerves which serve as a communication board for the motor functions of the body, as well as its sensory system (F. Sarhan, D. Saif, A. Saif, 2013). The spinal cord encompasses 31 different nerves (F. Sarhan, D. Saif, A. Saif, 2013). When there is damage to one or any of the spinal cord nerves, this can comprise the relay of the motor and sensory messages coming to and from the brain, causing major deficits in these areas (F. Sarhan, D. Saif, A. Saif, 2013). Depending on where the injury happened on the spinal cord this will specify how much function is impaired and where the impairment will occur within the body (D. Gagnon, S. Nadeau, D. Gravel, L. Noreau, C. Lariviere & B. McFadyen, 2005). There are different assessments and tests to determine the level of a spinal cord injury and how much damage has been done to the affected nerves (G. Savic, M.K. Bergstrom, N. Davey, P. Ellaway, H. Frankel, A. Jamous & A. Nicotra, 2007). Some of these tests include but are not limited to: sensory testing, cognitive, and motor function normality (Savic et al., 2010). QST testing is an example of a group of sensory tests (Savic et al., 2010). These tests involve a patient’s thermal responses, light touch, and pain sensations (Savic et al., 2010). Sensation loss and motor loss will exist below the level of the injury however, …show more content…
A home assessment is usually provided which will include all home modifications recommended to the family and or caregiver before the injured person returns home (Spooren et al., 2011). Safety precautions in the home will include: the removal of any loose rugs, and other fall risk areas, grab bars for the bathroom, a commode chair, and shower chairs are usually recommended to help prevent falls as assist the injured person in obtaining the maximal functional independence for him/her self ( Saif et al.,