Spinal Injuries

The spinal cord carries messages from our brain which help us to move our body, feel pressure and control vital functions like breathing, blood pressure, bladder and bowels.

Damage to the spinal cord can be caused by a trauma like an accident, or as a result of infection or disease. The higher up you damage the spinal cord, the more movement and sensation will be lost.

Care can depend on the level of injury occurred. This may include hoisting, assistance with personal care and assistance with activities of daily living.

Shepherd Healthcare Group provides care and support for people who have spinal injuries and associated conditions.

Specialist needs

Shepherd Healthcare Group recognises that clients who have spinal injuries may have other complex health needs and we support people who:

• Have a tracheostomy and/or ventilator (BiPAP/CPAP) and require support to maintain a clear airway.
• Use a suction or cough assist device.
• Need support to receive nutrition and hydration via gastrostomy tube.
• Require assistance with personal care including continence care.
• Need assistance with medication administration.

Spinal Injury Facts

The extent of a spinal injury depends on two things; the place of the injury along your spinal cord and the severity of injury to it.

The severity of the injury is often called “the completeness” and is classified as either of the following:

• Complete. If all feeling (sensory) and all ability to control movement (motor function) are lost below the spinal cord injury, your injury is called complete.
• Incomplete. If you have some motor or sensory function below the affected area, your injury is called incomplete. There are varying degrees of incomplete injury.

Additionally, paralysis from a spinal cord injury may be referred to as:

• Tetraplegia. Also known as quadriplegia, this means that your arms, hands, trunk, legs and pelvic organs are all affected by your spinal cord injury.
• Paraplegia. This paralysis affects all or part of the trunk, legs and pelvic organs.

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