Living with a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI): How Complex Rehab Technology Can Reduce its Neurological Effects

A spinal cord injury (SCI) can drastically change the way a person moves, feels, and lives day-to-day. Globally, more than 15 million people are living with SCI, and most cases are a result of sustaining accidental physical trauma, making many SCI cases preventable. However, those with genetic or certain medical conditions are more likely to develop an SCI, making it harder to prevent.

If you or someone you know has SCI because of genetic or medical conditions, you probably understand how it can significantly impair the body’s neurological functions. Without proper treatment to manage symptoms, secondary conditions can develop resulting in premature mortality.

To prevent further complications and promote an improved quality of life, relying on a custom advanced mobility solution like Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) devices, can significantly alleviate the burdens brought on by SCI. Continue reading to uncover the positive impact CRT has on individuals battling SCI.

Understanding Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal cord injuries typically occur when damage to the spinal cord disrupts communication between the brain and body. Although mostly uncommon, roughly between 250,000 and 500,000 spinal cord injuries occur globally each year.

In the U.S., about 18,000 SCI cases occur annually. Nearly 80% of those cases are males in their mid-40s, while nearly 20% are from individuals between the ages of 16 and 30 or from individuals 65 and older.

What Causes Spinal Cord Injuries?

There are two ways an individual can sustain a spinal cord injury:

Traumatic Injuries

• Motor vehicle accidents

• A serious fall

• Acts of violence (e.g., gunshot wounds)

• Sports injuries

Non-Traumatic Injuries

• Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

• Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

• Spina Bifida

• Tumors

• Infections, diseases, or cancers that damage the spinal cord

Reducing Spinal Cord Injury Effects with Complex Rehab Technology (CRT)

An SCI can change nearly every aspect of a person’s daily life, from movement and muscle control to posture and breathing. The severity of these effects often depends on where the injury occurred and how much damage was done, but in nearly all cases, long-term support is essential to maintaining independence and overall health.

This is where CRT plays a vital role. Through highly customized mobility solutions, CRT devices can help individuals manage symptoms, reduce complications, and improve quality of life. Below are some of the most common challenges caused by spinal cord injuries, and how CRT helps address them.

	Problem	Solution
Motor Functions	Numbness, tingling, loss of sensation in the extremities, difficulty walking, and limited control of bladder and bowels is a common result of a spinal cord injury.	To alleviate this loss of function, a CRT device with custom memory seating positions allow for one button operation of bodily adjustments. This helps accommodate the user’s evolving needs and changing environment.
Respiratory Functions	Spinal cord injuries can impair breathing, increasing the risk of respiratory complications.	Complex rehab technology can support respiratory health by integrating breathing aids that help maintain stable and efficient breathing.
Skeletal Functions	Since a spinal cord injury targets the spine, the skeletal structure of the body can be severely compromised. This can lead to chronic pain or pressure in the head, neck, or back.	With adjustable seating and positioning, CRT devices can help restore spinal imbalances, poor posture, and decrease the risk of developing pressure injuries.
Muscle Functions	With decreased use of the spine, muscle weakness, involuntary muscle stiffness, spasm, and even paralysis can be a result of a spinal cord injury.	A variety of CRT’s custom features can help minimize the effects of muscle weakness. Features such as contoured seating and custom molded cushions allow individuals to maintain balance, mobility, and muscle control.

Living with SCI can present significant challenges, but advancements in CRT have transformed what independence and comfort can look like for individuals. By addressing critical functions such as respiratory health, muscle control, and posture, CRT goes beyond simple mobility restoration, it provides a pathway to better health, reduced complications, and greater confidence in daily life.

If you or a loved one is navigating the effects of a spinal cord injury, working with a qualified mobility specialist to explore CRT solutions can be a vital step toward improving overall well-being and maintaining independence. Contact a Rehab Medical mobility specialist here to get started.

For support and additional resources on the effects of spinal cord injuries, reach out to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

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References:

• https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/spinal-cord-injury

• https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/spinal-cord-injury

• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12098-spinal-cord-injury