1. Chapter 16 Spinal Cord Disabilities
Luke E. Kelly
Chapter 16 Spinal Cord Disabilities

2. Spinal Cord Disabilities
Common spinal cord injuries
Traumatic injuries: tetraplegia and paraplegia
Spina bifida
Polio
Spinal column deviations
Scoliosis
Kyphosis and lordosis
Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis

3. Classification and Function
Classification systems
Medical
Sport
Relevant factors
Respiration
Shoulder, arm, and hand control and sensation
Trunk stability
Hip, knee, and ankle control and sensation
Bowel and bladder control
Quadriplegia and paraplegia

4. Handling Potential Spine Injuries
Treat all possible injuries as serious.
Immobilize neck.
Restore breathing and circulation.
Summon medical help.
Keep victim warm.

5. Treatment Phases Hospitalization—acute medical treatment
Rehabilitation
Adjustment to injury
Basic living skills
Return to home or school—transition back to a normal routine

6. Secondary Issues Psychological acceptance Health conditions
Decubitus ulcers
Bruising
Urinary tract infections
Spasticity
Contractures
Obesity

7. Spina Bifida Spina bifida classifications
Occulta
Meningocele
Myelomeningocele
Screening and prenatal surgery
Hydrocephalus—shunts
Chiari II malformation
Tethering of the spinal cord

8. Contrast Similarities and Differences
Acquired spinal cord impairments
Psychosocial acceptance and development
Physical and motor development
Congenital impairments—spina bifida

9. Polio
Incidence
Cause
Salk vaccine
Post-polio syndrome

10. Fitness and Spinal Cord Injuries
Obesity
General level of fitness
Emphasis
Flexibility
Strength
Endurance
Dealing with muscle imbalances
Brockport Physical Fitness Test

11. Fitness and Safety
Hypotension
Thermoregulation
Autonomic dysreflexia

12. Posture Screening Role of physical educators Screening tools
Posture grid
Iowa Posture Test
New York State Posture Rating Test
Coordination with other personnel

13. Spinal Column Deviations
Scoliosis
Kyphosis
Lordosis
Spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis

14. Classifications Classification Causes Incidence Structural
Nonstructural
Causes
Idiopathic
Neuromuscular
Incidence

15. Scoliosis S-shaped curves C-shaped curves Treatment Primary
Compensatory
C-shaped curves
Treatment
Nonstructural
Structural
Braces

16. Treatment of Spinal Deviations
Establish policies and procedures.
Work on both strength and flexibility.
Make routines fun and motivating.
Employ appropriate warm-up and cool- down periods.
Emphasize static over dynamic stretching.
Integrate programs into the regular physical education program.
(continued)

17. Treatment of Spinal Deviations (continued)
Make sure students understand and can do the exercises correctly.
Encourage students to watch themselves in mirrors when they exercise.
Make sure program is followed outside of physical education.
Emphasize symmetrical exercises.
Be aware of limitations imposed by braces.

18. Orthotic Devices
AFOs
KAFOs
HKAFOs
Canes, walkers, and crutches

19. Inclusion Focus on abilities. Inclusion is a two-way street.
Substitute objectives (e.g., wheelchair skills for locomotor skills).
Make decisions based on assessment data.
Make accommodations to ensure success and learning.
Teach self-advocacy.

20. Sport Opportunities Organizations Events Levels of competition
Wheelchair and Ambulatory Sports, USA
Disabled Sports USA

21. Wheelchair Basketball
NWBA classification system
Class I: T7 and above
Class II: T8-L2
Class III: L3 and below
Team rules
Five players
Total of 12 points on the floor
No more than three class III players