 spine, or the lowest parts of the back, are injured, it can cause paralysis and loss of function in the legs. This is also referred to as paraplegia. The severity of lumbar and sacral spinal cord injuries varies. The injury may also cause loss of nerve and muscle control to the bladder, bowel, and sexual organs.
It is important to note that not all spinal cord injuries lead to paralysis. There can be varying medical issues that follow a spinal cord injury, which can interfere with other bodily functions.
Treatment of Spinal Cord Injuries
Every child deserves a treatment plan that is personalized to their needs and utilizes advanced and innovative techniques. Shriners Children's is internationally known and respected for our expertise in pediatric spinal cord injury care. We work hard to provide compassionate and life-changing to care to children in a way that supports them physically and emotionally.
Shriners Children's offers:
- Acute care, including surgical spine stabilization
- Primary and secondary rehabilitation
- Tendon transfers that may restore function and use of arms
- Surgical implant of a phrenic nerve pacer that has allowed severely injured children to breathe without a ventilator
- Upper extremity surgical reconstruction
- Urologic surgical reconstruction
Comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services are provided in a family-centered and culturally sensitive environment. Each patient has a care manager who will assist with all aspects of the visit to our hospital, including lodging and transportation arrangements. We provide care at the appropriate levels including:
- Intensive care
- Inpatient rehabilitation
- Outpatient rehabilitation
- State of the art facilities and equipment
Our buildings are designed specifically to serve the medical and emotional needs of children.
Patients are able to participate in recreational activities with other children in bright play areas equipped with video games, craft centers and games that enhance the family-friendly environment of care. Our recreation specialists spend time getting to know our patients in order to figure out what kind of activities they enjoy.
Patients are encouraged to attend sporting events, go to movies and participate in other community activities. Many patients participate in adaptive recreational sports, including skiing, tennis, baseball and more. Art programs give patients an opportunity to experiment with adaptive devices and encourage creative expression.
Specific treatments and services may vary by location. Please contact a specific location for more information.
Medical Team for Spinal Cord Injuries
Patients will see a multidisciplinary team uniquely qualified to care for the needs of a growing child or adolescent with a spinal cord injury. Our team informs, educates and helps provide a better quality of life for children with spinal cord injuries and their families. Your child's care team members may include:
- Advanced practice nurses
- Biomedical engineers
- Care coordinators
- Child life specialists
- Hand surgeons
- Nurse practitioners
- Occupational therapists
- Orthopedic surgeons
- Pediatric orthopedists
- Pediatric physiatrists
- Physical therapists
- Plastic and reconstructive surgeons
- Recreation therapists
- Respiratory therapists
- Social workers
- Speech therapists
- Spine surgeons
- Transition specialists
Rehabilitation for Spinal Cord Injuries
Rehabilitation services for children with a spinal cord injury may include physical, occupational and speech therapy.
Physical therapists work with children on developing gross motor skills, balance, mobility, transfers, walking, strength, flexibility, sports rehabilitation and wheelchair or adaptive equipment evaluations.
Occupational therapists work with children to develop fine motor skills, train in basic self-care, and use of adaptive equipment. Occupational therapists make custom splints and help patients increase their upper-extremity strength, endurance and flexibility.
Speech therapists assist children with feeding and swallowing disorders, as well as language delays and 