[Spinal cord injury rehabilitation]

Spinal cord injury (SCI) challenges many aspects of life. Common secondary health conditions are sensorimotor impairments, autonomic dysfunction affecting bowel, bladder, sexual and cardiovascular function, pressure ulcers, pulmonary dysfunction, pain and psychological distress. Primary rehabilitation and lifelong follow-up from a specialized interdisciplinary rehabilitation team is needed to attain and maintain maximum functioning and participation in all aspects of life, and to reduce the risk of complications in the acute and chronic phases after SCI. Most of the almost 300 people who sustain a SCI in Sweden each year can today be expected to live long lives. However, the growing population of people aging with long-term SCI and the increasing number of older adults sustaining an SCI are major challenges for the health care system.  Important research areas are improved neurological diagnostics, regenerative research and long-term consequences of aging with SCI.