THE REHABILITATION TREATMENT OF PAIN SYNDROME IN THE CHRONIC PHASE OF SPINAL CORD INJURIES

Abstract

Hipothesis. Spinal cord injuries represent a complex pathology, very frequent in the rehabilitation units, because in the last years there was an increase in the proportion of vertebral traumas, especially cervical ones, with more cases of tetraplegic patients admitted in the hospitals. Purpose. The importance of the rehabilitation programme in the painful syndrome of the chronic phases is special, because aproximately 80 % of the spinal cord injury patients have chronic pain, one third being severe, this interfering with the activities of daily living and affecting the quality of life. Results and methods. There are many types of pain syndromes in patients with spinal cord injury, such as musculo-skeletal pain (nociceptive pain), visceral pain and neuropathic pain, all of them having a benefit from the rehabilitation programme and its specific treatment methods (physiotherapy, termotherapy, massage and kinetotherapy), but also from the pharmacologycal analgesic treatment, depending upon the severity of pain. Discussions. The purpose of the rehabilitation treatment after spinal cord injury includes maximizing physical and functional independence and prevention of the multiple secondary complications. The rehabilitation team is led by a rehabilitation physician, but includes other important members such as the patient, family members, physical therapists, psychologists and social workers, and all of these members must work together to eliminate the barriers to health and ensure the full participation of the patient in all aspects of community life.

Keywords

• spinal cord injury
• pain syndromes
• rehabilitation