2 replies to this topic

[wongani]

My husband had an accident on 22dec 07. He injured a spinal cord L2 -L3 level. both legs are paralysed and muscles are very weak. He is having problems of constipations. He is on indweling cathter and has been having continuos abnominal pains and unrine infection.

Currently he is undegoing a rehabilitaion and physiotherapy.

I need an advise on these problems he is having. when will he be free from all these problems? For how long is he going to walk again.

The doctor said the injury also affected the nerves. What advice can you give on this problem.

[Apparelyzed]

Hi Wogani,

Welcome to the forum, hopefully you will find something of use here!

With injuries as low as your husbands, constipation and impaction of the stool is a common problem.

If he is having abdominal pains, I would get him to see a doctor, as there are a number of products available to help soften the stool, and help reduce the chances of such problems in the future.

You may also want to look at his diet. Make sure he eats plenty of fibre, fruit and vegetables. Because water is absorbed from the stool by the lower bowel more efficiently in lower spinal cord injuries, he should make sure he drinks plenty of water throughout the day to help keep the stool soft.

Laxatives should only be used as a last resort, as this will probably cause bowel accidents.

There is a bit of information on bowel care on this site here which may help you.

Complications of the Bowel Following a Spinal Cord Injury

With regards to walking, his physiotherapist may be able to give a more realistic assesment, as it all depends on his injury, determination and physical build.

He is still very early into his injury though, and improvements can be seen two years after initial injury.

Make sure you give him plenty of encouragement through his rehabilitation, as he will reach a point where he will seem to stall in his improvements, and then all of a sudden, he will progress further.

Just make sure he doesn't give up, because with such a low injury, he has excellent potential for improvement.

Regards

Simon

[handi2]

The problems you desrcibed are common with a new injury as posted. He will get allot better as time goes by and with rehab. The indwelling catheter should be stopped soon and he should be able to use single catheters when needed. That will help relieve the infections. Stay strong with him thru his rehabilitation. I know it will be very trying on you and him but it will get better. You have to learn to crawl before you can walk.
I personally have had more feeling and more muscle strenght increase every year. It's allot of hard work and patients.
Best to you and you husband.