Epidemiology Evidence Based Care And Outcomes In Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a life altering condition that has a profound effect on an individual’s motor, sensory and autonomic functions which impacts their ability to participate in society and decreases their quality of life. There are emerging innovations that can help restore neurological function and existing best practices that can be implemented today to improve care, however these are not consistently applied in practice or understood by individuals with SCI and their families. It is estimated to take an average of 17 years for research evidence to be translated into practice. To shorten this timeframe, there is a need to: understand the current epidemiology of SCI in the context of an aging population, quantify the economic impact, determine the effect of the injury on outcomes (e.g. neurology, function, mortality, quality of life), and ensure the knowledge is implemented so individuals living with SCI can benefit.

"Every year between 250 000 and 500 000 people suffer a spinal cord injury, with road traffic crashes, falls and violence as the three leading causes. People with spinal cord injury are two to five times more likely to die prematurely. They also have lower rates of school enrollment and economic participation than people without such injuries. Spinal cord injury has costly consequences for the individual and society, but it is preventable, survivable and need not preclude good health and social inclusion. Ensuring an adequate medical and rehabilitation response, followed by supportive services and accessible environments, can help minimize the disruption to people with spinal cord injury and their families. The aims of International perspectives on spinal cord injury are to: --assemble and summarize information on spinal cord injury, in particular the epidemiology, services, interventions and policies that are relevant, together with the lived experience of people with spinal cord injury; --make recommendations for actions based on this evidence that are consistent with the aspirations for people with disabilities as expressed in the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

In this comprehensive, clinically directed, reference for the diagnosis and treatment of persons with spinal cord injury and related disorders, editors of the two leading texts on spinal cord injury (SCI) medicine have joined together to develop a singular premier resource for professionals in the field. Spinal Cord Medicine, Third Edition draws on the expertise of seasoned editors and experienced chapter authors to produce one collaborative volume with the most up-to-date medical, clinical, and rehabilitative knowledge in spinal cord injury management across the spectrum of care. This jointly configured third edition builds on the foundation of both prior texts to reflect the breadth and depth of the specialty. Containing 60 state-of-the-art chapters, the book is divided into sections covering introduction and assessment, acute injury management and surgical considerations, medical management, neurological and musculoskeletal care, rehabilitation, recent research advances, system-based practice, and special topics. New and expanded content focuses on the significant changes in the epidemiology of traumatic injury, the classification of SCI, and the latest medical treatments of multiple medical complications. In addition, chapters discuss new surgical considerations in acute and chronic SCI and the many advances in technology that impact rehabilitation and patients’ overall quality of life. With chapters authored by respected leaders in spinal cord medicine, including those experienced in spinal cord injury medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, neurosurgery, therapists, and researchers, this third edition goes beyond either of the prior volumes to combine the best of both and create a new unified reference that defines the current standard of care for the field. Key Features: Covers all aspects of spinal cord injury and disease with updates on epidemiology of spinal cord injury, the classification of spinal cord injury, newer methods of surgical intervention post-injury, updates to medications, advances in rehabilitation, and changes in technology Brings together two leading references to create a singular evidence-based resource that defines the current standard of care for spinal cord medicine Presents the most current medical, clinical, and rehabilitation intelligence Chapters written by experts across the spectrum of specialists involved in the care of persons with spinal cord injury Includes access to the downloadable ebook

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition with enormous financial, social and personal costs. SCI is the most expensive traumatic condition in the United States. Overall, most frequent aetiologies of injury are motor vehicle crashes and falls, followed by violence, sports-related injuries, and work-related accidents. Research on SCI prevention, regeneration and long term care has progressed steadily over the past decade making an introductory foray into the epidemiology of SCI and important undertaking. This book is designed as a general reference book reviewing the epidemiology of SCI throughout the world with potential insight to cause and effect as well as the difficulties and boundaries to minimise this unfortunate occurrence.

This comprehensive, up-to-date guide to the rehabilitation care of persons with spinal cord injuries and disorders draws on the ever-expanding scientific and clinical evidence base to provide clinicians with all the knowledge needed in order to make optimal management decisions during the acute, subacute, and chronic phases. A wealth of information is presented on the diverse medical consequences and complications encountered in these patients and on the appropriate rehabilitative measures in each circumstance. The coverage encompasses all forms of spinal cord injury and all affected organ systems. Readers will also find chapters on the basics of functional anatomy, neurological classification and evaluation, injuries specifically in children and the elderly, and psychological issues. The book will be an invaluable aid to assessment and medical care for physicians and other professional personnel in multiple specialties, including physiatrists, neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, internists, critical care physicians, urologists, neurologists, psychologists, and social workers.

Following injury or disease, neural circuitry can be altered to varying degrees leading to highly individualized characteristics that may or may not resemble original function. In addition, lost or partially damaged circuits and the effects of biological recovery processes coupled with learned compensatory strategies create a new neuroanatomy with capabilities that are often not functional or may interfere with daily life. To date, the majority of approaches used to treat neurological dysfunction have focused on the replacement of lost or damaged function, usually through the suppression of surviving neural activity and the application of mechanical assistive devices. Restorative Neurology of Spinal Cord Injury offers a different and novel approach. Focusing on the spinal cord and its role in motor control, the book details the clinical and neurophysiological assessment process and methods developed throughout the past half century by basic and clinical scientists. Then, through the use of specialized clinical and neurophysiological testing methods, conduction and processing performed within the surviving neural circuitry is examined and characterized in detail. Based on the results of such assessment, treatment strategies, also described in this book, are applied to augment, rather than replace, the performance of surviving neural circuitry and improve the functional capacity of people who have experienced injury to their spinal cords.

This comprehensive and practical reference is the perfect resource for the medical specialist treating persons with spinal cord injuries. The book provides detail about all aspects of spinal cord injury and disease. The initial seven chapters present the history, anatomy, imaging, epidemiology, and general acute management of spinal cord injury. The next eleven chapters deal with medical aspects of spinal cord damage, such as pulmonary management and the neurogenic bladder. Chapters on rehabilitation are followed by nine chapters dealing with diseases that cause non-traumatic spinal cord injury. A comprehensive imaging chapter is included with 30 figures which provide the reader with an excellent resource to understand the complex issues of imaging the spine and spinal cord.

Spinal Cord Injury Pain presents the basis for preclinical and clinical investigations, along with strategies for new approaches in the treatment of central neuropathic pain. Contributors from the private sector and academia provide a comprehensive review of state-of-the-art research in this challenging space. Topics include Epidemiology of Chronic Pain Following SCI, experimental models and mechanisms of chronic pain in SCI, and new targets and technologies. This book serves as a resource for continued translational research that will result in novel approaches and treatments that improve function and quality of life for individuals with CNP/SCI. Despite a better understanding of the complexity of mechanisms of CNP/SCI, improved medical and surgical management of SCI, and the subsequent acceleration of the identification of new targets and the development of novel analgesics, there is still a great unmet clinical need in the area of CNP following SCI. Hence, this book is a welcomed addition to current research and developments. Provides a comprehensive resource for novel approaches and treatments that improve function and quality of life for individuals with CNP/SCI Includes contributors from the private sector and academia Covers epidemiology of chronic pain following SCI, experimental models, mechanisms of chronic pain in SCI, and new targets and technologies