Spinal Cord Injury Program
Diagnosis & Treatment Options

TREATMENT OPTIONS

The Seton Brain and Spine Recovery Center

Once the patient arrives, immediate stabilization and support is necessary to ensure not only survival, but the highest level of function possible. After stabilization, the patient can be rapidly transferred into the rehabilitation process. The Seton Brain and Spine Recovery Center offers a specialized rehabilitation program unique to Central Texas.

Phase I: Inpatient Rehabilitation

Inpatient rehab includes basic therapy, activities of daily living, equipment and family training. Patients work with physical therapists, occupational therapists, certified trainers and PT aides to begin learning how to function with a spinal cord injury.

Phase II: Outpatient Rehabilitation

The second phase is an advanced community skills outpatient program that allows a patient with a spinal cord injury to be as active as possible in the community. The focus is on skill building for tasks such as maneuvering difficult terrain, floor to chair transfers, “wheelie” skills for stairs and curbs, orthotics/splints, spasticity management, standing readiness, pain management, sensory stimulation/retraining, and bowel and bladder issues. Patients also focus on neuromuscular retraining and activities such as driving.

Patients work with physical and occupational therapists, case management/social workers and dieticians. Access to psychiatric care, wound management, speech pathology, urology and other services will be assessed on an individual basis.

To meet this needs of patients after rehabilitation, the Seton Brain and Spine Recovery Center offers two additional programs:

Community Gym Program

The Community Gym Program provides access to a full spectrum of wellness and fitness equipment through its state-of-the-art exercise facility. All of the equipment is accessible and designed to meet special needs. Cardiovascular workouts and strengthening and weight training also are available at the gym. Patients have access to trainers, networking and educational programs, as well as outpatient rehabilitation activities. The gym is open to all individuals in the community with spinal cord injury.

Available equipment includes Para-Step, Walk-Aide, the Lite Gait, the Giger MD, standing frames, height adjustable mats and functional electrical stimulation in multiple modalities.

Advanced Recovery Program

The Advanced Recovery Program is an intense exercise and neuromuscular retraining program that focuses on maximal increase in function. It is offered as a three-month program, based on sliding scale fee structure. This course can be taken as often as the person is willing and will be more time intensive than the community program, but focused on similar activities. Participants will focus on physical and sensory function recovery including progressive strengthening, progression to weight bearing, facilitated function, neuro re-education, assisted gait and cardiovascular exercise programs.

For More Information

The Seton Brain and Spine Institute Recovery Center can be reached by calling 512.324.7000, extension 82233.