Management of spinal cord injury in general practice - part 1.
BACKGROUND
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a complex disability, often requiring specialised knowledge and expertise to manage multisystem impairments. This topic is often not included in undergraduate medical education and the general practitioner may understandably feel underprepared for managing a patient with SCI.


OBJECTIVE
This two part article provides an overview of common complications associated with SCI.


CONCLUSIONS
Common management issues in SCI include neurogenic bladder and bowel dysfunction, autonomic dysreflexia, sexuality, fertility, pressure areas, pain, spasticity, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological complications, general health and psychological wellbeing. Armed with key information, management of the patient with SCI can be systematically addressed in the general practice setting.
Middleton
James W
JW
Statewide Spinal Cord Injury Service, Rehabilitation Studies Unit, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Sydney, New South Wales. j.middleton@usyd.edu.au
Leong
Grace
G
Mann
Linda
L
D000328:Adult; D020211:Autonomic Dysreflexia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications; D001750:Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*