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My own experience of an NHS spinal unit mirrors closely those of the
author. I have a complete cord transection at mid thoracic level, and was
treated conservatively, which meant 14 weeks in bed, being log rolled etc,
and a number of complications as a result of such recumbency.
The rehabilitation staff, especially physiotherapists, were vastly
over stretched, and in general I got about 1hour a day physiotherapy - in
a group setting. I left hospital at 8 months, with my rehabilitation still
far from complete, and it is only a couple of years later that I have
achieved my full potential. I know some of the patients that were my
friends during my time in hospital were there for over a year.
Compare this with the US experience, of the author, and many others,
where there is very much a "can do" attitude, Most patients, are
discharged home from rehabilitation, within a few months of injury, and
with greater functional ability. The NHS units are almost certainly
underfunded in comparison with their US counterparts and this probably
explains much of the difference, although some of it may be a difference
in philosophical approach.
The other issue raised, in relation to mobility appliances, is well
made. As a paraplegic, I was led to believe that a manual wheelchair was
best for me, whilst those unfortunate enough to have tetraplegia "need" a
powerchair. The majority of paraplegics who are active and use manual
chairs develop severe shoulder problems within a few years, which cause
major problems in almost every activity of daily living. The reality is
most paraplegics will eventually need a powerchair, and to make them self-
fund such appliances is an indictment of our system.
NHS spinal units
My own experience of an NHS spinal unit mirrors closely those of the
author. I have a complete cord transection at mid thoracic level, and was
treated conservatively, which meant 14 weeks in bed, being log rolled etc,
and a number of complications as a result of such recumbency.
The rehabilitation staff, especially physiotherapists, were vastly
over stretched, and in general I got about 1hour a day physiotherapy - in
a group setting. I left hospital at 8 months, with my rehabilitation still
far from complete, and it is only a couple of years later that I have
achieved my full potential. I know some of the patients that were my
friends during my time in hospital were there for over a year.
Compare this with the US experience, of the author, and many others,
where there is very much a "can do" attitude, Most patients, are
discharged home from rehabilitation, within a few months of injury, and
with greater functional ability. The NHS units are almost certainly
underfunded in comparison with their US counterparts and this probably
explains much of the difference, although some of it may be a difference
in philosophical approach.
The other issue raised, in relation to mobility appliances, is well
made. As a paraplegic, I was led to believe that a manual wheelchair was
best for me, whilst those unfortunate enough to have tetraplegia "need" a
powerchair. The majority of paraplegics who are active and use manual
chairs develop severe shoulder problems within a few years, which cause
major problems in almost every activity of daily living. The reality is
most paraplegics will eventually need a powerchair, and to make them self-
fund such appliances is an indictment of our system.
Competing interests:
A spinal cord injured doctor
Competing interests: No competing interests