A CRASH COURSE IN SPINAL-CORD INJURY - MEDICAL-CARE ISSUES FOR PRIMARY-CARE PHYSICIANS

Management of spinal cord injury is a continuum from initial emergency medical treatment to lifelong medical and rehabilitative care. Becaus e improved care for patients with spinal cord injury has resulted in i ncreased longevity, cardiovascular and musculoskeletal issues have bec ome increasingly prevalent in this aging population. Given the limited number of medical centers with special expertise in spinal cord injur y, interested primary care physicians potentially have a valuable role in providing care for this population. The wide range of medical issu es and the functional goals of patients with spinal cord injury are in terdependent. Thus, optimal care requires a coordinated effort between primary care physicians and rehabilitation specialists.