[Hilary]

My sister suffered an incomplete C3/4 SCI 3 months ago. She is able to move her arms & legs slightly but has very limited sensitivity in her arms & none whatsoever in her legs & feet. Could some feeling still return after this length of time? I realise that all injuries are unique - but could anyone please throw any light on similar SCI ?

[KeepTheFaith]

As you have already said, every spinal cord injury is different. The fact that your sister has movement in her arms and legs is a very good sign. She may continue to have return, including sensation, in the months ahead. She should work hard in rehab and at home - weight bearing exercises, range of motion, strengthening activities. Plus, I do Acupuncture twice weekly and lots of electrical stimulation. (FES arm and leg cycle, BioNess, TENS) I recommend hitting it hard for the first few years to get as much back as you can. It is going to be a long slow recovery, so she is lucky to have you by her side.

[ClaraTaylor]

3 months isn't very long in the world of SCI. I hope she continues making many improvements.

[allis53ca]

3 months is NOTHING...way way too early....rehab and exercize best medicine..i saw no return for 6 months and improved in strength and ability for over 2 years...many have return for 3 or 4 years and longer

BTW...there is no cure, and no real treatment besides rehab/exercize/patience...anyone who tries to talk your family into travelling for some secret treatment or injection of this or that ESPECIALLY this early is a hack....determination will get her further than anything right now...PHYSICAL REHAB AND EXERCIZE

[ericr]

that is great she has movement as c3. im c5 and started moving my left leg after 2 months, im 7 months in now and both legs are moving treamondously and my upper body is normal outside of my fingers. i owe it too strength training and aggressive physical therapy. i dont know where you are located but find an aggressive rehab not one thats typical in hospital but one thats more like a gym setting with either fes bikes a locomat or some other walking or peddling machine. Insurance usually does not pay for this type of therapy but its really worth it you will see a big difference even if its just transfering or rolling over. Like everyone said it varries from injury to injury just take advantage of the best therapy and dont let anyone tell u that you will never do something, i learned that quick. Typical therapist are trained to teach you how to just get by not get better, at least the ones i delt with. Anyways im rambling if you have any questions about the program i go to email me I swear by it. btw its located in south florida but similiar places are popping up every where.

[In The Wind]

Give her at least 2 years. That's the normal window for SCI recovery. The above posts give excellent info. You don't say where you are but you should try to find a place that focuses on SCI patients. In the U.S. there are several that only deal with spinal/brain injuries, the shepherd center in Atlanta, GA. ( http://www.shepherd.org/) and Craig in Denver, CO. ( http://www.craighospital.org/ ). These are not the only 2, but just two prominate ones. A regular rehab place, even one in a hospital, does NOT know how to deal with SCI needs.

I cannot stess how important it is that she gets to a place that knows how to train people that have a SCI, even now at 3 months out. It will mean a SUBSTANTIAL difference in her quality of life and just her ability to care for herself.

Right now, exercise and DIET are critical. Work what works, try to work what doesn't. DON'T GET FAT! As a SCI patient it's very easy to do and very hard to get rid of, certainly so at C3.

This post has been edited by In The Wind: 17 January 2010 - 06:57 PM

[Hilary]

Thanks for all the hopefully encouraging information. I realise that I gave relativly few details about Stephanie's circumstancs - She is 58 years old & is situ at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Aylesbury, England which is a specialised SCI Hospital. She was transferred from the Medical/High Dependancy Ward to Rhab. 6 weeks ago, but unfortunately, due to many drawbacks including carrying the MRSA bacterior in her urine ( now cleared), bed sores ( now also clear ), constant feeling of nausea & vomiting each time she is put into the wheelchair, low in magnesium & proplems with her liver - all of which have only suddenly manifested themselves - probably due to the fact that the drugs are not as yet sorted to suit her - she has thus not as yet really started her Rehab. proper so to speak!!
So - fingers crossed & any more information greatly appreciated.
Thanks once again!!

[Tinbasher]

She's in the best place (although I admit to being biased!) I remember the long and unpleasant task of getting back upright in my wheelchair we all go through it, all the blood rushes to your feet and it goes black.

She has a long road ahead and this is just the beginning, the folks on this site are probaly the worlds best resource on living with SCI (CARECURE is great for the medical stuff) keep asking and as soon as shes up to it introduce her to us all we will make her welcome.

best regards

Tin