Hopefully, this article helped you better understand how orthoses aid in spinal cord injury recovery. Prolonged use can result in learned nonuse. Orthoses for spinal cord injury patients help protect the spine, promote healing, aid mobility, and ensure proper form.Īn orthosis is generally required for short-term support. Orthosis for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery: Key Points The movement will gradually become more natural until one day, you won’t need the orthosis at all. The more you repeat a weak movement, the stronger the neural pathways will get. The best way to promote neuroplasticity is through massed repetition.
Reversed, but the spinal cord can relearn affected functions. The damage caused by a spinal cord injury cannot be The central nervous system is incredibly adaptable and isĬapable of neuroplasticity (the ability to rewire itself).
Learned nonuse is when your body gets so accustomed to using the brace that it forgets how to engage your muscles. Your doctor will determine when it is appropriate and safe to gradually decrease the time spent wearing the orthosis.Įver heard the phrase “use it or lose it”? Well, that’s exactly what happens if you stop using your muscles and rely too heavily on your orthosis. Typically, a spinal cord injury patient may wear a spine stabilizing brace for up to 6 months until the spine heals. How long a person wears an orthosis depends on the severity of their injury. How Long Do Spinal Cord Injury Patients Need to Wear Orthotics?
Serial casting gently stretches spastic muscles, and also prevents those muscles from additional tightening. When applying gentle tension to the spastic muscle over a period of time, the muscles lengthen, which can help increase range of motion.Īffected limbs are recasted weekly for up to 12 weeks so that each time a new cast is applied, the muscle is stretched more than the previous time. Serial casting may help relieve severe spasticity. Let’s go over different types of orthoses that spinal cord injury patients may be advised to wear. Not everyone with a spinal cord injury will need orthoses, but those that do can greatly benefit from the additional support. The type of orthosis you wear may depend on the severity and level of your spinal cord injury.
The first function is to stabilize the spinal column to promote healing at the injury site and the second function is to support the affected body parts for functional rehabilitation.Īs a result, wearing an orthosis can help spinal cord injury patients: What is the Purpose of an Orthosis for Spinal Cord Injury?Īn orthosis for spinal cord injury patients has two primary functions. This article will explain the benefits of wearing an orthosis for spinal cord injury recovery as well as educate you about the various types of orthoses. What does an orthosis for spinal cord injury patients do,Īfter a spinal cord injury, your doctor may fit you with a brace to promote proper posture and prevent further injury.