The second model spinal cord injury system located in Pennsylvania is the Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley. Located in Philadelphia at Thomas Jefferson University, and partnering with the Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, the Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley was first established in 1978.
This model spinal cord injury system stands out for its impressive statistic pages that they gathered from over 5,700 people with spinal cord injuries the system has served over the past 40 years. In addition, they offer a wide breadth of consumer information, assessment measures, and research opportunities to the local SCI population. To learn more about this Philly-based model spinal cord injury system of care, continue reading below.
Research
There is a wide variety of research currently happening at the Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley. First and foremost are their clinical trials where they investigate drugs that could help with spinal cord injuries secondary publications, such as spasticity or bowel incontinence. They also conduct clinical trials on drugs that could improve nervous system function in my also improved walking.
Outcome studies are another large part of their research programs, which demonstrate some kind of improvement, whether it's a neurological improvement or a quality of life improvement. This model spinal cord injury care system has also been a leader in helping to develop classifications within the spinal cord injury field for years.
The Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of the Delaware Valley also conducts basic research such as lower extremity recovery, neuropsychologic endpoints to measure improved neurological function, and better understanding the changes in nerve cells after spinal cord injury and how this affects the recovery of an individual. Learn more about their research: www.jeffersonhealth.org/clinical-specialties/spine-program/research.
Consumer Information
One of the main goals of the Magee Rehabilitation Hospital is to make sure their patients and family members are as educated on spinal cord injuries as possible. To reach that goal, they offer a free SCI patient/family teaching manual. You can find the manual and other resources here: www.jeffersonhealth.org/clinical-specialties/spine-program/supporting-your-care-journey.
They also provide videos about back pain, spine surgery, spinal deformities, and SCI treatments: www.jeffersonhealth.org/clinical-specialties/spine-program/videos
Their video series "Day in the Life" features people with SCI explaining how they've adapted to living with their injury. Check it out: mageerehab.jeffersonhealth.org/blog_post/a-day-in-the-life-working-out-with-a-spinal-cord-injury/
Assessment Measures
If you're looking for tests to determine your upper extremity capabilities and your lower extremity capabilities, you can determine these by taking the free questionnaire on their site. They also offer a walking index for spinal cord injury terminology, including important terms and concepts.
Visit the Regional SCI Center of the Delaware Valley's website here: www.jeffersonhealth.org/conditions-and-treatments/spinal-cord-injury
