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Spinal cord injury (SCI)
An estimated 105,000 people in the UK are living with a spinal cord injury. Each year, approximately 4,400 people acquire spinal cord injury.
What is a spinal cord injury?
A spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when there is damage to any part of the spinal cord or the nerves at the end of the spinal canal. This damage leads to temporary or permanent changes in strength, sensation, and body functions below the site of injury.
A spinal cord injury can result from trauma (e.g., road traffic accidents, severe assaults, or falls) or disease (e.g., polio, spina bifida).
There are two types of spinal cord injuries:
- complete: a total loss of sensory and motor function below the injury site
- incomplete: some sensory or motor function remains below the level of injury
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the severity and location of the injury but may include:
- loss of movement
- loss of sensation (including the ability to feel heat, cold, or touch)
- loss of bladder or bowel control
- pain or intense stinging sensation due to nerve damage
- difficulty breathing or coughing if the injury affects the chest muscles
Living with spinal cord injury
Depending on the severity, a spinal cord injury can cause permanent disability, including:
- paralysis (either partial or total, affecting different parts of the body)
- chronic pain and muscle spasms
- loss of bladder and bowel function
- circulatory and respiratory issues (such as low blood pressure, pneumonia, or breathing difficulties)
Recovery outcomes vary. Some individuals regain partial function, while others require lifelong support and rehabilitation.
Orthotic treatment
After initial treatment in an acute setting, many spinal cord injury patients may benefit from custom-made orthotics to support their recovery.
Since each patient’s needs vary significantly, a specialist assessment is essential to determine the most effective orthotic solution.
For some, orthotics can enhance mobility, while for others, they can improve posture or prevent muscle contractures, promoting overall function and quality of life.
Learn more about our orthotics to support spinal cord injury patients
Bespoke orthotics to support you after spinal cord injury
Orthotics can be an essential part of rehabilitation for spinal cord injury survivors, providing stability, mobility support, and improved function.
With careful assessment and customised orthotic solutions, patients can achieve greater independence and quality of life.
“It’s difficult to describe what [being able to stand] means to me and my feelings of well-being. It’s an important step on my long road to recovery.”
Dr Mohammed Belal, spinal cord injury patient