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Walking Dysfunction

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Management and Rehabilitation of Spinal Cord Injuries

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Abstract

Spinal cord injury usually results in conditions that affect motor, sensory, and autonomic functions. In addition to the injuries associated with the musculoskeletal system, these primarily affect the mobility of the patient in the early stages of rehabilitation. During rehabilitation, improvements of motor and sensory deficits are important to maintain independence in activities of daily living such as ambulation. The ability to walk is the ultimate goal of rehabilitation for patients with spinal cord injuries. Ambulation in patients with spinal cord injury is influenced by the level of injury and the different levels of muscle paralysis, sensory impairment, the lack of trunk control, and spasticity. Depending on the level and completeness of the spinal cord injury, the motor function available is the main determinant of waking ability. Several other factors, including muscle tone, proprioception, endurance, age, range of motion, and additional impairments or comorbidities, are also important in determining options available for walking after spinal cord injury.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Rehabilitation Hospital, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, South Korea

    Hyun-Yoon Ko MD, PhD

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  1. Hyun-Yoon Ko MD, PhD
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© 2019 Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.

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Ko, HY. (2019). Walking Dysfunction. In: Management and Rehabilitation of Spinal Cord Injuries. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7033-4_36

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-7033-4_36

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-10-7032-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-10-7033-4

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