The overall goals of the spinal cord injury program are to assist the patient to achieve functional independence, to improve his/her quality of life and to provide effective patient/family education. The spinal cord injury rehab team at Allied Rehab Hospital works in developing individualized treatment plans and training formats aimed at assessing patient risk, promoting functional gains and teaching the patient/family effective coping skills for life after discharge from rehab.

After doing a thorough evaluation, the team establishes realistic goals, and works as a cohesive unit delivering care that addresses each patient’s unique medical and personal needs. In addition to traditional rehabilitation techniques, patients may participate in the latest technological advancements in spinal cord rehabilitation care including neuromuscular electrical stimulation, aquatic therapy, body-weight supported treadmill training, and computerized biofeedback. Along with the latest technology, Allied Rehab provides the necessary training in self care and mobility skills, nutrition and psychological support to assist patients with personal independence. Patient and family education, community outings, and peer visitor program are utilized to progress each patient towards returning home. These techniques combined with our experienced staff give us the ability to address the full range of physical, social, emotional and vocational needs of each patient and their family. As the patient achieves his/her goals, the team modifies the program to provide continuous challenges and encourage new levels of independence, while always ensuring the patient’s safety and well being.

Conditions Treated

• Cognitive and emotional issues
• Respiratory disorders
• Impaired muscle strength or coordination
• Sensation
• Loss of bladder and/or bowel control
• Spasticity

• Paraplegia
• deep vein thrombosis
• pressure sores
• heterotopic ossification
• abnormal blood pressure or body temperature control
• Quadriplegia/tetraplegia

Technologies Involved

After a thorough assessment, and in consultation with the patient/family, the team establishes realistic goals for the patient to achieve. Therapy uses the latest technology as appropriate in spinal cord injury rehabilitation, such as the following:

FES RT 300-S bicycle Funded by the Christopher Reeve Foundation, the FES RT 300-S combines some of today’s most advanced technologies in treating neurological damage and restoring motor functions to formerly paralyzed muscles. The bicycle delivers electrical currents which stimulate the leg muscles in order to provide the patient with regular patterned activity. The RT 300-S allows patients with spinal cord injury to rebuild significant muscle mass and bone density while also improving cardiovascular functioning. This technology has even gone as far as restoring mobility in some cases of injury.

LiteGait? The LiteGait is a therapy device used to promote the generation of walking patterns by controlling weight bearing, balance, and posture during walking therapy. LiteGait is like a second set of hands, because it frees the therapist to observe gait patterns and make manual adjustments in limb placement, weight shift, walking symmetry, and gait training. Proper upright posture is maintained throughout the training session, which facilitates changes in posture, balance, specific muscle strength, and overall gait patterns. The LiteGait can be used over ground or with a treadmill.

The Ness H200? The H200 a Functional Electrical Stimulation technology that can dramatically assist patients with neurological disorders affecting the function of the arm and hand, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, C5-C6 spinal cord injury and cerebral palsy. The H200 is a custom fit non-invasive device, worn on the forearm and hand that enables patients to perform every day activities that were previously impossible. The NESS H200 can help the hand open and close, reduce stiffness, increase range of motion and strength, improve circulation and assist in regaining awareness of an impaired limb.

The Ness L300? The L300 is a Functional Electrical Stimulation system designed to improve lower leg and ankle/foot weakness due to the effects of stroke, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, and multiple sclerosis. In addition to facilitating a more fluid gait, the Ness L300 may also stimulate muscle re-education, prevent atrophy, maintain or increase joint range of motion and increase blood flow. The Ness L300 delivers stimulation to the nerves of the affected muscles. The device is worn on the lower leg to improve walking without the bulk of plastic braces and also strengthen muscles and reduce spasticity.

Reo Therapy? Provides an entirely new approach to delivering therapy for neurorehabilitation of the upper extremities following stroke, head injury or other neurological diagnosis. The robot-assisted training program is customized for each patient’s current condition and upgraded based on functional improvements. The Reo provides an engaging, motivating program of functionally oriented repetitive exercises. The Reo can help reduce tone and pain and improve strength and coordination of the affected extremity.

VTree A virtual reality system that works with both the physically and developmentally challenged. Programming works to promote: education, range of motion, life skills, balance, eye-hand coordination, speech, visual tracking, social skills, and behavior. Virtual programs are designed for both pediatric and adult clients.

The TRAN-SIT Car Transfer Simulator Designed to provide a safe and convenient alternative to “parking lot” car transfer training sessions. This attractive and functional car transfer simulator is a valuable addition to any rehab program and its life-like appearance adds to the realism of car transfer training activities. It allows your patients to learn and practice car transfer skills in the year-round comfort and safety of a clinical setting.

Dynavision™ Originally designed as a device to improve the visuomotor skills of athletes, the Dynavision™ Light Training Board has been adapted to provide the same training benefits to persons whose visual and motor function has been compromised by injury or disease. For persons with visual and visuomotor impairment the apparatus is used to train compensatory search strategies, improve oculomotor skills such as localization, fixation, gaze shift, and tracking, increase peripheral visual awareness, visual attention and anticipation, and improve eye-hand coordination and visuomotor reaction time.

Interactive Metronome Incorporates state-of-the-art technology that radically benefits patients with neurological disorders affecting motor skills and information processing. The incorporation of visual and auditory components enables patients to execute daily tasks and activities with great ease while assisting in the development of rhythm and balance. Interactive Metronome involves putting the patient into a technological environment in which he or she listens to various tempos and simultaneously performs corresponding actions.?This rehabilitation equipment proves to result in a dramatic improvement in brain development and coordination advancement.

Our Rehabilitation Team

After admission to the program, a team of specialized clinicians begins working with each patient. Our team consists of professionals from physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, nursing, dietary, psychology, social work, and recreation therapy, led by a physician who is board certified in spinal cord injury. Most importantly, the patient and their family are the core of our team.

The spinal cord rehab team see themselves not only as clinical caregivers, but also as teachers and coaches. Our treatment focus goes beyond the patient’s spinal cord injury, and focuses on minimizing any disabilities and handicaps produced by the injury. The team educates patients and their families in all aspects of their rehabilitation. By discharge, patients will have developed the necessary insight to prevent future problems and determine strategies to manage unexpected complications.

Plan of Care

Weekly team meetings are held to discuss each patient’s individualized plan of care and discharge plan. Patients and their families are encouraged to be active participants in their care and discharge planning process. The Medical Social Worker updates the patient and his/her caregiver to ensure full understanding of the current treatment plan, and addresses each patient’s concerns. The rehab team also maintains communication with each patient’s physician(s) to ensure the complete coordination of care throughout the recovery process.

The Transition Home

The ability to resume one’s life role and participate in the community is another goal of the Spinal Cord Injury Program. Community integration skills are taught as part of therapy. Activities relating to a patient’s life roles are simulated and practiced during the rehabilitation process.

Patients and their caregivers are provided with a self-care training program based upon principles of self-advocacy and self-direction. Patients are taught how to direct their care and what to do if emergencies arise. They are provided with opportunities to practice these skills in the transitional apartment. This apartment helps the patients and their families get ready for the challenges they will face at home. When appropriate, the team may perform evaluations of the home, school or work site to identify barriers and make recommendations for accessibility and functionality. The family works closely with the occupational therapist to assess the home and make changes as recommended to best meet the patient’s needs.

At discharge, patients and families are provided written instructions to ensure necessary follow up care. Discharge plans may include additional services from a home health or out-patient facility. All pertinent discharge information is forwarded to the patient’s primary care physician and therapists to facilitate a smooth and safe transition to the next care provider. This continuity of care is a significant advantage for our patients. Allied Rehab offers the only comprehensive outpatient spinal cord program in the area. We provide the same excellent quality of therapy our patients grow accustomed to as inpatients in our rehab hospital. Additional specialized outpatient elements include a driver’s training assessment program, wheelchair seating clinic, computerized lower extremity ergometry, and membership to Allied Service’s Wellness Center upon discharge from therapy. After discharge, patients receive surveys and follow up phone calls at least annually,? to assess not only their satisfaction with their service, but also their functional status to determine if there are any needs or concerns.

A Lifetime of Care

The Spinal Cord Injury Program provides lifetime follow-up with the use of our spinal cord injury follow-up clinic or individual physiatrist appointments. Spinal Cord Injury follow-up clinic appointments are conducted by the interdisciplinary rehab team and are led by a physiatrist board certified in spinal cord injury. Allied Rehab remains a lifetime resource for the patient and their family.

Sports and Recreation

Participation in sports and recreation after a spinal cord injury can be challenging, but not impossible. At Allied Rehab we believe the benefits of being challenged and of exploring the boundaries of limitation are fulfilling and meaningful. Many patients enjoy such popular leisure activities as bowling, billiards, gardening, or camping with friends and family. Other, more competitive sports, such as wheelchair tennis, wheelchair basketball, skiing, hand cycling, and kayaking are more appropriate for the serious athlete who craves the spirit of competition and excitement. No matter the level of function or physical limitations, if a patient desires to try some sport or activity, the spinal cord injury team at Allied Rehab helps to make it happen.

Community Involvement

Community awareness regarding spinal cord injury prevention is important to our staff. Former Spinal Cord Injury Program patients and Allied Rehab staff participate in a nationally recognized program dedicated to preventing traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries in young people called “Think First.” This program’s central message is safety through awareness and prevention of disabilities. Today, the program exits in every state, and we are proud to participate.

Admissions and Referrals

Patients are admitted to the spinal cord injury program at Allied rehab when they are medically stable and determined appropriate for a rehabilitation program. Referrals may be made by a private physician, general hospital, family member, or those who have been injured themselves. To initiate a referral or for additional information, please call 570.348.1359.