Physical therapy in a case of spinal cord injury (level c7-c8)

INTRODUCTION: Subject of this case is a patient with spinal cord injury on level C7-C8. After application of appropriate physical therapy, improvement of the functionality was notice with rise of the FIM score from 79 to 104. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient is diagnosed as C7-C8 tetraplegia. Partial ability of voluntary movements of the upper limb was reserved. The ability of voluntary movements of the lower limb was completely lost. Spinal shock was diagnosed on the hospitalization. Control of the bladder and bowels was completely lost. MANAGEMENT AND OUCOME: A series of surgical interventions on the spinal column were performed. Physical rehabilitation started on the 22nd day. It included exercises for early mobilization and training of basic mobility skills (bed mobility, sitting balance, transition from supine to sitting position, transfers). The FIM score rose from 79 to 104. DISCUSION: The aim of the physical rehabilitation is raising the level of functional independency in accomplishment of activities of daily living. The progress was measured by FIM (Functional Independence Measure) score. The first score was 79, measured on the 22nd day after the accident. The second score was 104, ten months after the start of the rehabilitation. Rise of 25 points in the FIM score was noticed after ten months of rehabilitation