| Brain Injury: |
There are two types of brain injury: closed head injury (CHI) which is caused by rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head during which the brain bounces off the inside of the skull and open head injury (OHI) caused by a car accident, gunshot wound or other external factor. |
| Spinal Cord Injury: |
Spinal cord injuries result in paralysis of parts of the body, usually the result of an accident. Because different parts of the spinal column are responsible for different body functions, the degree of loss of function depends on where the injury occurs on the spine. Typically, as the point of injury to the spinal cord moves upward, the degree and extent of bodily function loss increases. |
| Stroke: |
A stroke results in sudden loss of brain function caused by a blockage or rupture of a blood vessel to the brain. A stroke is characterized by loss of muscular control, diminution or loss of sensation or consciousness, dizziness, slurred speech or other symptoms that vary with the extent and severity of the damage to the brain. A stroke may also be referred to as a cerebral accident or cerebrovascular accident (CVA). |
| Amputation: |
Amputations, or loss of a body part, are divided into traumatic amputations (those involving loss of a body part caused by an injury) and non-traumatic amputations (those secondary to diabetes, poor circulation or infection). |
| Brain and Spinal Tumours: |
Brain and spinal cord tumours are abnormal growths (new or present at birth) of tissue found inside the skull or the bony spinal column. Tumours are usually classed as benign, or non-cancerous, if the cells that make up the growth are similar to other normal cells, grow relatively slowly, and are confined to one location. Tumours are called malignant, or cancerous, when the cells are very different from normal cells, grow relatively quickly, and can spread easily to other locations. |
| Neurological Disorders: |
These refer to disorders of the central nervous system (brain, brainstem and cerebellum), the peripheral nervous system (neuropathy, including cranial nerves) or the autonomic nervous system (parts of which are located in both central and peripheral nervous systems). |
| Deconditioning/Debility: |
Deconditioning is a condition of decline in physical fitness resulting from a prolonged period of illness/immobility. Debility is the condition of being infirm or physically weak. |
| Burn Rehabilitation: |
Areas that are addressed in regard to the burn patient are: Identification of hypertrophic scarring; assessment of the proper fit and care of custom pressure garments and splints; identification of exercise needs and teaching of a home program; adaptation of self-care items for activities of daily living (ADL) as well as independent activities of daily living (IADL); identification of issues regarding community, vocational and school re-entry; skin care and maintenance; and identification of emotional issues related to a burn injury. |
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