Spinal Cord Injury Services (SCI)

An injury to the spinal cord can result in alterations in normal movement, sensation, and physical function. A spinal cord injury not only affects bowel and bladder functions, mobility, posture, and breathing, but also body temperature and circulation, sexual function, self-esteem and community involvement. Ideally, the rehabilitation process begins immediately after an injury. Once medical and spinal stability is achieved, the patient can begin the process of medical rehabilitation.

Transdisciplinary Team-delivered Therapy

An injury to the spinal cord can result in alterations in normal movement, sensation, and physical function. A spinal cord injury not only affects bowel and bladder functions, mobility, posture, and breathing, but also body temperature and circulation, sexual function, self-esteem and community involvement. Ideally, the rehabilitation process begins immediately after an injury. Once medical and spinal stability is achieved, the patient can begin the process of medical rehabilitation.

The case manager is the program manager and serves as the liaison between patient/family/physician and payer. While participating in Spinal Cord Injury services, patients have access to vocational resources, support services, rehabilitation engineering, driving evaluations, acquisition of prosthetics and orthotics, and therapeutic recreation extension courses (TREC).

Admission Criteria

Spinal Cord Injury services at RISB serve medically stable patients ages four and older. Diagnoses typically admitted are traumatic injury, impairment from disease, post-op laminectomy of fusion for spinal stenosis, and nerve root syndromes.

Medical staff physicians are involved in the case from the moment a referral is made. A physiatrist and/or RISB's clinical liaison will perform an on-site evaluation prior to transfer to the facility. Communication with insurance companies and family physicians is important. Our case management system ensures prompt and thorough reports of progress.

For Outcomes information or to refer a patient, contact RISB's Admissions Office at (805) 569-8999 ext. 2317.