Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation

A Shriners Hospitals "Center of Excellence"

Our philosophy of spinal cord injury care is one that is both progressive and preventative. We are progressive with current treatment regimes because we believe that patients should be given all current opportunities as well as be physically and mentally prepared for any future opportunities that may arise. We believe in preventing secondary complications from occurring, such as scoliosis, joint contractures, and hip instability, so that treatments developed in the future can be applied.

Why Choose Shriners-Philadelphia?

The Spinal Cord Injury program at Shriners Hospital for Children, Philadelphia has grown and evolved over the last 25 years. The hospital is considered a "center of excellence" within the hospital system, and has a well-established program for children and adolescents with both acute and chronic spinal cord injuries.

While other adult and pediatric hospitals may provide care to children with SCI as part of their adult and spina bifida programs, respectively, our program is designed specifically to treat spinal cord injuries in children. Because of our single focus on pediatric SCI, we are able to design treatment regimes to help prevent secondary complications and optimize outcomes. In addition, children and families who receive SCI care at our hospital benefit from the shared common experiences of other children and families undergoing care.

The spinal cord injury program at Shriners Hospital-Philadelphia provides comprehensive care to children and adolescents who have received an injury to their spinal cord; whether traumatic or non-traumatic (i.e. Transverse Myelitis or tumors).

An interdisciplinary team approach is used to ensure comprehensive care for each patient. The staff includes: spine surgeons, orthopaedic surgeons specializing in the upper and lower extremities, pediatrician/physiatrist, psychologist, social workers, rehabilitation nurses, care coordination, physical, occupational and speech therapists,  recreation/child life therapists, orthotists, and teachers. Consultants include: urologists, neurosurgeons, neurologists and psychiatrists.

 Children with spinal cord injuries are uniquely different from adults with spinal cord injuries.

    Unique programs we offer:

• clinical activity-based rehabilitation program  
• powered wheelchair mobility for preschool and elementary school age children
• water and land brace-walking
• tendon transfer surgery to restore hand function
• ventilatory dependent and weaning program

Additionally, SHC-Philadelphia has a research facility with many active studies that aim to improve the health, wellness and functional independence of children with spinal cord injury.

Accessing Rehabilitative Services

Our program admits and rehabilitates patients with all levels of spinal cord injury – from high level tetraplegia to lower level paraplegia. Our ventilatory program allows us to admit patients who are on either full or part-time ventilatory support and includes a comprehensive method of ventilator weaning when appropriate. Ventilation management may also include evaluation for diaphragmatic pacing.

Once a patient is medically stable and ready for intense inpatient rehabilitation, the patient can be transferred to Shriners.  A child/adolescent may be transferred to Shriners from another outside hospital, at which point they are admitted directly to our rehabilitation unit.

Once discharged from acute rehabilitation, all patients are followed through our outpatient clinic or through subsequent admissions depending on their needs. Younger children tend to be followed more closely (every 3 months) until skeletal maturity, particularly to monitor their spines and hips – for scoliosis and hip disorders- and for developmentally appropriate mobility needs and preventative education. After maturity, follow up is typically every 6-12 months. As each child/teen reaches adulthood, he/she is transitioned into a comprehensive adult program that specializes in spinal cord injury. 

Additional services offered for patients and families