What is a spinal cord injury?

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are caused when the spinal cord is bruised, torn, or crushed, and is often the result of trauma to the vertebral column (although it can also be a result of a traumatic insult such as transverse myelitis or a spinal cord stroke). The additional nerve damage is from the secondary trauma of swelling.

What frequency does SCI occur?

There are approximately 12,500 new cases of SCI each year, with as many as 400,000 Americans currently living with SCI. Most injuries occur between the ages of 16 and 30, and about 82 percent of those who experience these injuries are male.

In the United States, motor vehicle accidents account for approximately 44 percent of all SCI. Other common causes include:

• Acts of violence, including those involving knife and gunshot wounds
• Slips and falls
• Sports-related injuries, mostly diving accidents
• Trampoline accidents

How do you determine the level of injury?

A SCI is defined by neurological level, as well as severity, and determines where function is lost. Generally, the functions of the body located above the point of injury will continue to work with no loss of function, while the areas of the body located below the point of injury will be impaired. Impairment can include motor deficit, sensory deficit, bowel/bladder dysfunction, and breathing difficulty.

What is the course of treatment?

The goal of acute spinal cord injury care is to stabilize the spinal cord to prevent further damage, save as much tissue as possible, and prevent complications of SCI. Current care of acute SCI involves three primary considerations. First, physicians must diagnose and relieve cord compression, gross misalignments of the spine, and other structural problems. Second, they must minimize cellular-level damage if possible. Finally, they must stabilize the vertebrae to prevent further injury.

In-patient and out-patient rehabilitation focus on the patient’s physical and emotional recovery. This is very important for preparing an individual to be able to return to as healthy, fulfilling, and independent a lifestyle as possible. Where and the amount of time spent in either in-patient or out-patient is determined by several factors which may include severity and presence of additional health complications requiring longer care, health insurance coverage and research and advocacy done on behalf of the patient, to name a few.

How does Push to Walk (PTW) help individuals with a SCI?

The Mission of PTW is to provide individualized workouts and resources to people with SCI and other forms of paralysis to optimize their current quality of life and prepare them for future medical advancements. Our proposed program gives the paralysis community access to a wider range of wellness services that can enhance their ability to manage day-to-day activities.

Located in Oakland, New Jersey, PTW houses a 7,435 square foot gym with state-of-the art equipment. Certified trainers are available seven days a week to work with clients. PTW focuses on helping individuals build healthy lifestyles and improve their day-to-day lives. We use training methods to help clients regain strength, function, and independence.