Spinal Cord Injury Treatment for L-Level Paraplegics

L-level refers to spinal cord injuries that occur in the lumbar region. The lumbar spine contains five bones (vertebrae) located just above the tailbone (coccyx) and sacrum. L-level injuries create issues with leg function. This is because of the muscles that the five lumbar vertebrae control.

• The L1 (highest of the lumbar vertebrae) protects the portion of the spine that controls the lower abdominal muscles. It is also related to sexual function in men. 
• The L2 protects the nerves that relate to the hip muscles.
• The L3 surrounds the nerves that control the quadriceps.
• The L4 and L5 protect the parts of the spinal cord that relate to the foot, knees, and hamstrings. Even the ability to flex your toes comes from this part of the spinal cord. 

Because of this, paraplegia is the usual result of a spinal cord injury in the lumbar region. If you are living with L-level paraplegia, what rehab needs should you be seeking to fulfill? Here are some of the most essential spinal cord injury treatments and recovery therapies for L-level paraplegia. 

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy focuses on helping you to do everyday things in new ways, depending on the extent of your injury. One of the primary focuses will be on using your upper body to make transfers. This is especially vital if your injury is in the L1 area. If there is an impact on abdominal muscle control, you will need to be able to transfer to and from your chair while keeping yourself upright. 

Physical Therapy

The higher up the injury occurs, the more your physical therapist will need to focus on increasing core strength to allow you to sit up and stay sitting upright. Core strength is also vital if you are able to walk with the assistance of braces (more on that in a minute). Physical therapy may be the most traditional treatment for spinal cord injury, but that is because it is tough to argue with the results. Consider some of the following:

• Strength – By increasing the power in your core and upper body, you allow yourself the ability to perform necessary motions that can result in greater independence. You can also use passive exercises to strengthen non-functional muscles. This will be crucial if you are able to regain ability in the future.
• Bone density – When parts of the body are not in use, bone density becomes a concern. The adage “if you don’t use it, you lose it,” is an important reason to focus on your physical therapy sessions.
• Balance – Whether you can regain the ability to walk or can do so with assistive devices (such as braces), you will want to reduce the risk of falls by improving your balance. 
• Flexibility – You don’t want to lose and of the range of motion that you do have. Physical therapy can help you to stay limber. 

Braces

The lower on your spine an injury occurs, the greater chance you have of retaining the ability to walk. However, L4 or L5 injuries are going to cause some issues in the legs and feet. Therefore, braces may be an assistive device that can help you to stand upright and get around safely. At the same time, your physical therapist will help you to gain strength in the muscles that will support you as you walk with braces on your ankles, knees, or hips. 

Activity-Based Therapy 

Of course, the real goal of spinal cord injury treatment for L-level paraplegics is to try and restore function, if possible. Activity-based therapy can get the neuromuscular system going and may even help to restore some function. At the very least, the intensive activity is good for heart and lung health as well as strength, balance, and bone density. What are some types of activity-based therapy that can be particularly beneficial for spinal cord injury patients?

• FES Cycle – Functional electrical stimulation helps to activate muscles that the patient cannot utilize on their own. This provides exercise for muscles that would have no other way to get it. At the same time, when used along with an FES cycle, this type of therapy could allow a person who is living with paralysis to operate a stationary cycle as a part of their therapy. While providing all the other benefits of activity-based therapy, this is also a particularly good way to help the nervous system begin to rewire. 
• Lokomat Therapy – Lokomat involves an unweighing system that suspends a patient over a treadmill. An exoskeleton allows the physical therapist to control how much of the walking is performed by the machine and how much by the patient. This can assist a person in walking on the treadmill regardless of their level of lumbar injury, and it may also help the neuromuscular system to begin rewiring for activity. Again, at the very least, this is great activity for the lower half of the body and can provide many benefits.

Paralysis Recovery: Will You Walk Again After Your Spinal Cord Injury?

Meeting the Challenge of Spinal Cord Injury Treatment 

Recovery after an spinal cord injury can take years if you want to attain optimal results and maximize your level of independence. This is why you need to prepare yourself for the journey mentally. iAM ABLE is proud to present the eBook 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to Thrive after Paralysis to help you with your journey. We also offer a state of the art SCI recovery facility in Miami, Florida. Our physical therapists are ready to help you through the challenges and triumphs of your journey.

Grab our free e-book 7 Unbelievably Important Steps to Take to THRIVE after Paralysis by clicking the image below.