Rehabilitation Services
Non Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Clinic
NTSCI: multidisciplinary outpatient service with a team of specialist professionals offering a holistic assessment of rehabilitation needs, information and advice.
About our service
The non-traumatic spinal cord injury clinic is a multidisciplinary outpatient service with a team of specialist professionals offering a holistic assessment of rehabilitation needs, information and advice.
What is a Non Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury?
A Non Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury is damage to the spinal cord that is not caused by direct trauma. There are many and varied causes for non-traumatic spinal cord injury including; spinal cord compression, interrupted blood supply, inflammation, infections, congenital issues. This may include people with conditions such as; Spondylosis, Myelopathy, Spinal Canal Stenosis, Spinal Tumours, Spinal Cord Infarct or Bleeding, Transverse Myelitis, Syringomyelia, Spina Bifida.
Who is there service for?
Anyone over 16 who lives in the West Midlands, registered with a West Midlands GP, although we will assess people outside the region.
An individual with Non-Traumatic Spinal Cord damage with rehabilitation needs.
People who have spinal cord injuries following accidents/trauma are generally seen by the regional West Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries in Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Hospital, Oswestry.
Spinal cord damage can lead to difficulties in:
- Mobility and moving around
- Bladder and Bowel management
- Pain management
- Muscle weakness or stiffness/spasticity
- Activities of daily living and work
The aim of our clinic is to optimise independence and activity in personal, social and domestic life and assist people in managing the impact of their long term spinal cord condition.
Referral process
Any healthcare professional can refer with details of the persons’ difficulties and goals. We may contact the GP for some information prior to the appointment. All referrals are discussed in our referrals meeting and if further information is required the referrer may be contacted before we can process the referral further.
Specialist Rehabilitation Clinics referral form
What will happen in the clinic?
The multidisciplinary team includes a Consultant in Rehabilitation Medicine, a Specialist Physiotherapist, a Specialist Occupational Therapist and a Clinical Nurse Specialist. You will be seen by members of the multidisciplinary team who will ask you questions about your condition and how it affects you. You may also have a physical assessment to look at strength, sensation and physical abilities. This will help to identify specific issues related to your condition and agree interventions which could help you with these.
It is useful to wear loose clothing. Please bring a list of current medication and any walking aids or splints you regularly use
What happens after the assessment?
We will discuss our findings and recommendations with you. This may include further assessments from specialist services at the West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre or input from other healthcare professionals or recommendations to your GP. We may make referrals to local services, often via your GP. All onward referrals will be agreed with you before being made. We will then agree if you need to be seen again in this clinic and if so when we should book the review appointment. After the clinic a letter is sent back to your referrer and a copy is sent to your GP. You can receive a copy of this letter if you wish.
Other members of the team
You may also access other professionals within the West Midlands Rehabilitation Centre if required, such as:
- Clinical Psychologist / Counsellor
- Speech and Language Therapist
- Orthotics Service
- Medical Secretary/Administration services
- Spasticity Specialist Clinic
- Information and Advice Service
- Customer Service Team (formerly PALS)