Introduction

Individuals with cervical spinal cord injuries depend on their upper limbs to perform activities of daily living, such as transfers, dressing, and wheelchair propulsion. However, range of motion limitations, joint contracture, spasticity, pain and fatigue can significantly limit functional abilities in persons with spinal cord injury. This course will discuss specific therapeutic strategies used to treat and prevent health complications after cervical spinal cord injuries, such as positioning, stretching, strengthening, the tenodesis grasp and spasticity management. It also explores a range of modalities used to treat the upper limb in individuals with tetraplegia.In this course Wendy Oelofse gives the Occupational Therapy perspective with applications and considerations for the multidisciplinary team.

Aims

This course aims to discuss positioning and management strategies for the upper limb in individuals with cervical spinal cord injuries.

Outline

This course is made up of videos, reading, forum posts and a final quiz. The course content is split into the following sections:

1. Video
2. Reading activities
3. Quiz

Target audience

This course is aimed at rehabilitation professionals, students and assistants including but not limited to Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Rehabilitation Doctors, Rehabilitation Nurses, Prosthetists, Orthotists, Psychologists, Audiologists, Dietetics, Social Workers. Community Health Workers, Nurses or Medical Doctors interested in this subject are also invited to participate.