Problems associated with Spinal Cord Injury

  • Decreased or absent sensation below level of SCI
  • Decreased or absent motor function (movement) below level of SCI
  • Bowel and bladder dysfunction
  • Decreased sexual function
  • Reduced control of body temperature
  • Chronic pain

Benefits of the Bambach for Spinal cord injury

When sitting on the Bambach Saddle Seat

  • The hips are at an angle of 45-degree flexion in external rotation and abduction. In this position, the individual can be balanced and secure with dynamic postural control allowing him or her to move in all planes easily.
  • In this sitting position the hip joint is in its position of maximal joint surface contact (closed pack position) where there is maximum contact of the head of femur with the acetabulum (ball and socket joint of the hip) this is the position of most comfort and stability.
  • This position places the limbs in a mid range position which is beneficial in maintaining muscle length, normal tone and joint range of motion which reduces the risk of further musculoskeletal problems.
  • By providing secure pelvic control. The Bambach Saddle Seat can be finely adjusted so the pelvis is stabilised in its upright, neutral position. It then follows, as the spine responds to the correct pelvic angle that it can be active in its natural upright curves.
  • A clear midline assists maintenance of balance and symmetry. This assists in activating the muscles of postural control in a balanced way which allows the development of a symmetrical posture reducing the risk of scoliosis.
  • The individual sitting upright is an active posture rather than a passive collapsed position. Conventional seating will cause the individual with low tone to slump forward and develop poor postural habits which if unaddressed will lead to secondary musculoskeletal problems.
  • Greater control of sensory inputs which can trigger unwanted motor responses.
  • Partial weight bearing can be encouraged through to standing from a half-sitting position, which stimulates lower limb proprioception (sensory feedback), mobilizes the joint and improves muscle tone. This also facilitates transfers from sitting to standing and reduces the reliance on family/carers.
  • Facilitation of independence in sitting and other motor activities.
  • Trunk and head control are easier in the natural position so that functional activities, such as swallowing and speech are improved.
  • Thoracic, abdominal and pelvic spaces are maximized resulting in improved lung and internal organ function and circulation.
  • With the upper body stable and free to move in this upright posture, eye contact, communication and social interaction are a great deal easier. This can lead to improved self-esteem through improved relationships with others. So not just functional performance but also psycho-social interaction improves simply as a result of sitting in correct posture.
  • Retraction of the shoulder girdle into the neutral position means that upper limb tasks and fine motor activities are facilitated meaning that self care activities, computer work and hobbies are more easily performed.
Spinal Cord Injury

What is Spinal cord injury?

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the spinal cord which leads to a loss of function such as mobility or sensation.  SCI is often caused by a traumatic event such as a car crash, fall or incidents while participating in sports or diseases such as polio or spina bifida.

It is estimated that there are approximately 40,000 individuals in the UK which equates to a prevalence of approximately 1 in 1,500, and roughly 800 individuals present with SCI annually in the UK.

SCI can be a devastating and life changing condition which presents considerable challenges to the individual and their carer in terms of managing the condition and the associated complications.

What is Spinal cord injury?

The effects of SCI depend upon the type of injury and the level of the injury. SCI can be divided into two types of injury:

Complete - this is results in no sensation and no voluntary movement below the level of injury and both sides of the body are equally affected. Recovery of function is also unlikely

Incomplete - the effects may vary depending on the nerve pathways damaged but often the individual may present with imbalances between sensation and motor loss and may have decreased function on one side of the body compared to the other. Some degree of recovery of function is also likely.

The level of SCI will also dictate the degree of function loss. SCI in the cervical spine (neck) usually results in quadriplegia (arms and legs affected). Injuries to the thoracic level result in paraplegia (legs affected) and lower thoracic injuries allow good trunk control and good abdominal muscle control. SCI to the lumbar and sacral areas (lower back) results in decreasing control of the lower limbs.