SCI PT Interventions

Question 1

Name some common precautions in SCI

Answer 1

Orthopedic stress fracture at site
Skin integrity
Fall risk
Overstretching
Overuse/Stress

Question 2

Name some common compensatory interventions

Answer 2

Use of momentum
Head-hips relationship
Muscle substitution

Question 3

Extrinsic feedback, structured environment, and breakdown of tasks into parts is used during what stages of motor learning.

Answer 3

Early stages

Question 4

Which UE muscles are key to strengthen for transfers?

Answer 4

Serratus anterior
Latissimus dorsi
Pectoralis major
Rotator cuff
Triceps brachii

Question 5

How often should strength training be performed?

Answer 5

2-4 times per week
2-3 sets of 8-12 reps
Initially may be done daily at lighter resistance

Question 6

What are the most common methods for cardiovascular training?

Answer 6

Arm ergometry
Wheelchair propulsion
Swimming

Question 7

How often should cardiovascular training be performed?

Answer 7

3-5 days a week

20-60 minutes at 50-80% max HR

Question 8

Should patients with incomplete injuries focus on recovery or compensatory strategies?

Answer 8

Recovery of normal movements when able

Question 9

How can you progress bed mobility skills?

Answer 9

Start on larger firm surface, progress to smaller softer surface

Question 10

Why do you want to avoid adaptive equipment with bed mobility?

Answer 10

So you can maximize independence

may need to be used later if task can’t be completed

Question 11

How can you strengthen the serratus anterior and other scapula muscles?

Answer 11

Prone on elbows push-ups

Question 12

What are some prerequisite skills to move from supine to/from long sitting?

Answer 12

Move within prone on elbows

Get into supine on elbows

Question 13

What kind of postures will you see with lower thoracic and cervical injuries while sitting?

Answer 13

Low thoracic lesions - relatively erect posture

Low cervical and high thoracic - can maintain balance with forward head and trunk flexion

Question 14

How much straight leg raise is recommended to avoid overstretching of low back muscles?

Answer 14

90-100 degrees

Question 15

If hamstring length isn’t 90-100 degrees, what is another way you can position your legs?

Answer 15

LE can be placed with hips in ER and slight abduction to allow for knee flexion

Question 16

Name the 3 components to a sit pivot transfer?

Answer 16

Preparatory phase: trunk flexes forward, leans lateral and rotates toward the trailing arm
Lift Phase: starts when butt lifts.
Descent phase: period when trunk is lowered

Question 17

Name some benefits for standing.

Answer 17

Improved circulation
Skin integrity
Bowel and bladder function
Sleep
Sense of well-being

Question 18

What are some requirements for standing?

Answer 18

Full ROM in hip extension
Absence of knee flexion and ankle PF contractures
Adequate cardio endurance
Patient’s motivation

Question 19

What are some orthotics used for locomotor training?

Answer 19

ankle-foot orthosis (AFO)
Knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO)
Scott-Craig Orthoses
Reciprocating gait orthosis (RGO)

Question 20

What does retraining neuromuscular control for walking involve?

Answer 20

Reciprocal Stepping
Balance during propulsion
Ability to adapt the locomotor pattern to behavior goals and environmental changes