FASAVA Congress 2017

A discussion of the physical therapy and associated modalities for managing patients with spinal cord injury.
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a common and potentially devastating condition in veterinary patients. Whilst the ability to restore lost or damaged neurones remains the ultimate goal, surgical and medical advancements over recent decades have meant improvements in survival, function and quality of life for patients with spinal cord injury. Central to these advancements has been a greater understanding of rehabilitation and the role it plays in recovery after SCI.  This lecture will review the common spinal conditions veterinarians are presented with in practice and the ways in which rehabilitation therapy is integrated into the management process.  Therapy programmes are instituted based on the level, nature and severity of the injury, and once co-morbidities and required surgical treatments are addressed.  Patients may be severely incapacitated and the process for recovery may take several weeks or months. Therapy involves integration of appropriate pain management, nursing care, physiotherapy and client communication and support. Managing such patients can be amongst the most rewarding experiences for the veterinarian and rehabilitation therapist.