Fact sheets developed by the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center and provide useful health information that is based on research evidence and/or professional consensus and has been reviewed and approved by the SCI Model Systems editorial team of experts.
Understanding Spinal Cord Injury: Part 1 - The Body Before and After Injury (PDF)
This fact sheet is intended to be a starting point for understanding the normal functions of the spinal cord and how those functions might change after spinal cord injury. (en español)
Understanding Spinal Cord Injury: Part 2 - Recovery and Rehabilitation (PDF) Recovery and Rehabilitation is important to returning to functioning back to normal. There is no cure for SCI but you can learn the potential areas for improvement. (en español)
Adjusting to Life after Spinal Cord Injury (PDF)
Most people adjust well to life after SCI. This fact sheet outlines what adjusting well looks like, what difficulty with adjustment looks like, and offers insight into other common areas of adjustment. (en español)
Autonomic Dysreflexia (PDF)
Autonomic Dysreflexia (AD) is a medical condition that can lead to serious stroke, seizure, organ damage, permanent brain injury, or even death if not treated immediately. This fact sheet will help you better understand AD and prepare you for what to do if you get it. Has a medical treatment card to print a carry in case of emergency. (en español)
Sexuality and Sexual Function after Spinal Cord Injury (PDF)
Written for both men an women with SCI, this fact sheet discusses the impact of SCI on sexuality, dating, sexual arousal, orgasm, fertility, and relationships. (en español)
Bladder Management Options following Spinal Cord Injury (PDF)
Learn about the problems caused by your injury and the strategies used to help you manage bladder problems. (en español)
Surgical Alternatives for Bladder Management following Spinal Cord Injury (PDF) Learn how surgery can be used to help manage bladder problems if nonsurgical approaches do not work. (en español)
Bowel Function after Spinal Cord Injury (PDF)
Bowel management is a life-long balancing act to maintain control over your bowel movements. This fact sheet will help you find that balance to maintain your quality of life. (en español)
Driving after Spinal Cord Injury (PDF) Learn about resources and steps you can take to help you return to driving after your spinal cord injury. (en español)
Respiratory Health and Spinal Cord Injury (PDF)
The respiratory system changes after spinal cord injury. Learn how those changes may impact health, and how you can better manage your health. - (en español)
Pregnancy and Women with Spinal Cord Injury (PDF) Learn how to prepare for pregnancy, labor and delivery after a spinal cord injury. (en español)
Employment after Spinal Cord Injury (PDF) Most people with spinal cord injuries (SCI) want to work. Learn more about the resources and services available. (en español)
Skin Care & Pressure Sores Six part series with important information regarding pressure sores, including prevention, risk factors, and treatment options.
- Causes & Risks (PDF) (en español)
- Prevention (PDF) (en español)
- Pressure Reliefs (PDF) (en español)
- Building Skin Tolerance (PDF) (en español)
- Areas at High Risk (PDF) (en español)
- Recognizing and Treating Pressure Sores (PDF) (en español)
Depression and Spinal Cord Injury (PDF) Depression affects millions of Americans, including those with SCI. Learn more about resources and treatment options. (en español)
Safe Transfer Technique (PDF) Transferring in and out of your wheelchair puts high stress on your arms and shoulders. Learn the correct way to transfer. (en español)
The Wheelchair Series: What the SCI Consumer Needs to Know These 3 factsheets include important information to help you find a wheelchair that truly meets your needs.
- Getting the Right Wheelchair (PDF) (en español)
- The Manual Wheelchair (PDF) (en español)
- The Power Wheelchair (PDF) (en español)
Gait Training and Spinal Cord Injury (PDF) Gait training is practicing walking with assistive devices, braces and other types of support as needed. (en español)
Manual de enseñanza para el paciente y la familia sobre lesiones de la médula espinal
Published by the Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley (RSCICDV) at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Magee Rehabilitation Hospital.
Lesión de la médula espinal: Esperanza en la investigación
Provided by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (EL NINDS es parte de los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud)
Vídeos educativos prestados por el Hospital Craig.
- Disreflexia Autónoma (Autonomic Dysreflexia)
- Almohadillas en la coma (Padding in bed)
- Serie de Vejiga: Las Vías Urinarias Estructura y Función Normal (Bladder Series: The Urinary Tract, Normal Structure and Function)
- Serie de Vejiga: Cómo mantener la vejiga sana (Bladder Series: Maintaining a Healthy Bladder)
- Serie de Vejiga: Opciones para el control de la vejiga (Bladder Series: Bladder Management Options)
Hojas de datos proporcionados por el Hospital Craig
- Accepting New Help (en español)
- Aching Shoulders? (en español)
- Airline Travel (en español)
- Alcohol after SCI (en español)
- Autonomic Dysreflexia (en español)
- Bowel Problems (en español)
- Bowel Program: Lower Motor Neuron (en español)
- Caregiving (en español)
- Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) / Blood Clots (en español)
- Diabetes & SCI (en español)
- Erectile Dysfunction: Options for Men after SCI (en español)
- Exercise (en español)
- Fiber in Your Diet (en español)
- H2O to Go: Hydration (en español)
- Heterotopic Ossification (en español)
- Incomplete Injuries: Down the Road (en español)
- Incomplete Injuries: Early Days (en español)
- Long Term Caregivers (en español)
- Marijuana and Other Drug Use (en español)
- Meditation and Stress Management (en español)
- Optimal Health (en español)
- Osteoporosis (en español)
- Pain Management (en español)
- Personal Care Assistants: Find and Keep Them (en español)
- Personal Care Assistants: How Much Help Should I Hire? (en español)
- Pneumonia (en español)
- Purple Urine Bag (en español)
- Quality of Life: What's Important? (en español)
- Sexual Function for Men after Spinal Cord Injury (en español)
- Sexual Function for Women after Spinal Cord Injury (en español)
- Sleep Apnea (en español)
- Smoking: Lungs, Skin, and Bladder (en español)
- Spasticity (en español)
- Spirituality (en español)
- Tethered Cord and Syringomyelia (en español)
- Understanding and Managing Stress (en español)
- Upper Extremity Pain (en español)
- Urinary Tract Infection (en español)
- Weight Gain (en español)
- You Are How You Feel (en español)
- Your Heart (en español)