Written by What Rehabilitation Looks Like After a Spinal Cord Injury
Rehabilitation after a spinal cord injury is a long, difficult process. It begins in the hospital, often while the patient is still in the ICU, and continues for months or years. The goal is to help the patient regain as much function and independence as possible.
For someone who has just learned they have a spinal cord injury, the rehabilitation journey can feel overwhelming. Understanding what to expect helps patients and families prepare for what lies ahead.
In Chicago, several world-class rehabilitation centers specialize in spinal cord injury treatment. The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago) is consistently ranked as the top rehabilitation hospital in the country. Access to quality rehabilitation makes a real difference in outcomes.
Phases of Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
Acute Care Phase
The first phase begins immediately after the injury. The priority is stabilizing the spine and preventing further damage. This phase takes place in the hospital and may include:
- Emergency surgery to decompress the spinal cord or stabilize fractures
- Spinal immobilization with braces or traction
- Treatment for secondary injuries (broken bones, internal bleeding, head injuries)
- Medications to reduce swelling around the spinal cord
- Prevention of complications like blood clots and pressure sores
This phase can last from a few days to several weeks, depending on the severity of the injury and any complications.
Inpatient Rehabilitation Phase
Once the patient is medically stable, they transfer to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. This is the most intensive phase of rehabilitation. Patients typically spend 3 to 6 hours per day in therapy sessions, 5 to 7 days per week.
Inpatient rehabilitation usually lasts 30 to 90 days, depending on the injury level and the patient’s progress. Some patients with high cervical injuries stay longer.
During inpatient rehab, the patient works with a team of specialists:
- Physiatrist (rehabilitation physician) who oversees the treatment plan
- Physical therapists who work on strength, mobility, and transfers
- Occupational therapists who help with daily living skills
- Speech therapists (for patients with high cervical injuries affecting breathing and swallowing)
- Rehabilitation nurses who teach skin care, bladder management, and bowel programs
- Psychologists who help with the emotional adjustment
- Social workers who plan for discharge and community resources
- Recreational therapists who introduce adaptive sports and activities
Outpatient Rehabilitation Phase
After discharge from inpatient rehabilitation, the patient continues therapy on an outpatient basis. This phase can last months or years. Outpatient rehabilitation focuses on:
- Continued strength and endurance training
- Advanced wheelchair skills
- Community reintegration (navigating public spaces, transportation, shopping)
- Return-to-work planning and vocational rehabilitation
- Driver training with adaptive equipment
- Ongoing psychological support
Types of Therapy in Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is the backbone of spinal cord injury rehabilitation. It focuses on:
- Strengthening muscles that still function
- Improving balance and coordination
- Transfer training (moving from wheelchair to bed, car, toilet)
- Wheelchair mobility and skills
- Standing programs using standing frames or tilt tables
- Gait training with braces and assistive devices (for incomplete injuries)
- Range of motion exercises to prevent contractures
Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy helps patients relearn daily activities or find new ways to do them:
- Dressing, bathing, and personal hygiene
- Eating and meal preparation
- Handwriting and computer use
- Home management tasks
- Using adaptive equipment and assistive technology
Respiratory Therapy
Patients with cervical spinal cord injuries often have impaired respiratory function. Respiratory therapy helps strengthen the breathing muscles and teaches techniques to clear the lungs. Some patients need ventilator support, and respiratory therapy helps with weaning when possible.
Psychological Counseling
The emotional impact of a spinal cord injury is profound. Depression, anxiety, grief, anger, and PTSD are common. Psychological counseling is an essential part of rehabilitation. It helps patients:
- Process grief over lost abilities
- Develop coping strategies
- Address depression and anxiety
- Rebuild self-image and confidence
- Improve relationships with family and caregivers
- Set realistic goals for the future
Vocational Rehabilitation
Many spinal cord injury patients want to return to work. Vocational rehabilitation specialists assess the patient’s abilities, interests, and work history. They help with:
- Job retraining and education
- Workplace accommodations under the ADA
- Resume building and job placement
- Adaptive technology for the workplace
Emerging Therapies and Technologies
Spinal cord injury rehabilitation is advancing rapidly. New therapies and technologies are giving patients more hope than ever:
- Functional electrical stimulation (FES) uses electrical currents to activate paralyzed muscles
- Robotic exoskeletons allow some paralyzed patients to stand and walk during therapy
- Activity-based recovery therapy focuses on activating the nervous system below the injury
- Epidural stimulation uses implanted electrodes to activate spinal circuits
- Stem cell research holds promise for future spinal cord repair
These therapies are not cheap. Many are not fully covered by insurance. The cost of cutting-edge rehabilitation is one more reason why securing full compensation after a spinal cord injury accident is so important.
The Cost of Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is the largest component of spinal cord injury treatment costs after the initial hospitalization. Approximate costs include:
- Inpatient rehabilitation: $1,000 to $3,000 per day ($30,000 to $270,000 for a typical stay)
- Outpatient physical therapy: $150 to $350 per session, multiple times per week
- Occupational therapy: $150 to $300 per session
- Psychological counseling: $150 to $300 per session
- Vocational rehabilitation: $5,000 to $25,000
- Robotic exoskeleton therapy: $300 to $500 per session
Over a lifetime, rehabilitation costs for a spinal cord injury patient can reach hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.
How Rehabilitation Costs Factor Into Your Legal Case
Every dollar you spend on rehabilitation is part of your legal claim. Past rehabilitation expenses are documented through medical bills and records. Future rehabilitation costs are projected by a life care planner who works with your rehabilitation team.
Insurance companies often try to cut rehabilitation short. They may argue that you have reached “maximum medical improvement” and do not need more therapy. Your lawyer and medical team must push back against these tactics. Cutting rehabilitation short can mean losing function that could have been preserved.
An experienced spinal cord injury attorney understands the medical importance of rehabilitation and will fight to include the full cost of past and future rehabilitation in your claim.
Chicago Rehabilitation Resources
Chicago is home to some of the best spinal cord injury rehabilitation programs in the country:
- Shirley Ryan AbilityLab: The nation’s top-ranked rehabilitation hospital, located in Streeterville
- Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital: Part of the Sinai Health System on Chicago’s West Side
- Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital: Located in Wheaton, part of Northwestern Medicine
- University of Chicago Medicine: Comprehensive spinal cord injury program on the South Side
Access to these facilities is an advantage for Chicago-area spinal cord injury patients. Your legal team should factor the cost of treatment at these specialized facilities into your damage calculations.
Supporting a Loved One Through Rehabilitation
Family members play a critical role in spinal cord injury rehabilitation. You can help by:
- Attending therapy sessions and learning caregiving techniques
- Encouraging the patient without pushing too hard
- Educating yourself about spinal cord injuries and what to expect
- Taking care of your own mental health (caregiver burnout is real)
- Connecting with support groups for families of spinal cord injury patients
- Working with the legal team to document the impact on the entire family
Get Legal Help to Cover Rehabilitation Costs
Rehabilitation after a spinal cord injury is expensive, but it is essential. You should not have to sacrifice your recovery because the at-fault party’s insurance company is trying to limit your claim.
Call Phillips Law Offices at (312) 346-4262 or contact us online for a free consultation. We will work to make sure your legal claim covers the full cost of the rehabilitation you need to achieve the best possible recovery.