Piotr Kwiatkowski, Marek Fatyga, Magdalena Sobiech, Andrzej Skwarcz

Piotr Kwiatkowski, Marek Fatyga, Magdalena Sobiech, Andrzej Skwarcz – Kinesitherapy following spinal injuries with or without damage to the central nervous system. Fizjoterapia Polska 2002; 2(3); 257-260

Abstract
Based on many years of experience in the rehabilitation of patients with spinal injuries in Lublin, the authors present a model of kinesitherapeutic procedure from the moment of injury to the completion of treatment. The first section of the work discusses kinesitherapy in the treatment of spinal injury patients without neurological injuries. Kinesitherapeutic procedures are clearly presented depending on the choice of non-surgical treatment: functional therapy without internal fixation, functional therapy after the application of internal fixation, and functional therapy after the application of direct cranial traction. It is emphasized that in the case of patients requiring surgery with internal stabilization it is essential to prepare the patient with respiratory exercises and isometric contractions to strengthen the muscles of the back and abdomen. The second part of the article deals with kinesitherapy for spinal injury patiets with CNS damage. The authors point out the differences between various exercises depending on the neurological level and the symptoms occurring, as well as the period of time elapsing after injury. These periods are divided into: (1) from injury to verticalization, (2) from verticalization to discharge, (3) ambulatory period (return to family and society). At each stage of procedure the cooperation of the rehabilitation team is very important, as well as the use of orthopedic equipment in limb dysfunctions of varying degree.

Key words:
kinesitherapy, Spinal Injuries, Central Nervous System