Ditunno J F, Formal C S
Regional Spinal Cord Injury Center of Delaware Valley, Philadelphia, PA.
N Engl J Med. 1994 Feb 24;330(8):550-6. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199402243300808.
Spinal cord injuries predispose patients to numerous complications. The care of such patients requires attention to multiple bodily systems, sensitivity to the effects of interventions on function and lifestyle, and a special vigilance because of the tendency of spinal cord injuries to mask problems. Improved clinical care, however, has increased the life expectancy of people with spinal cord injuries and therefore the prevalence of such injuries. The Americans with Disabilities Act should make people with spinal injuries more visible, as they participate in and contribute to society in greater numbers. Maintenance of health brings greater opportunities for self-care and mobility through rehabilitation and may allow people with spinal cord injuries to take advantage of future opportunities for neurologic improvement or cure.
脊髓损伤使患者易出现多种并发症。对此类患者的护理需要关注多个身体系统，敏锐察觉干预措施对功能和生活方式的影响，并且鉴于脊髓损伤有掩盖问题的倾向，还需格外警惕。然而，临床护理的改善提高了脊髓损伤患者的预期寿命，从而也增加了此类损伤的患病率。《美国残疾人法案》应使脊髓损伤患者更受关注，因为他们越来越多地参与社会并为社会做出贡献。通过康复维持健康能带来更多自我护理和行动能力的机会，还可能使脊髓损伤患者能够利用未来改善神经功能或治愈的机会。
