Spinal Cord Spinal Cord CompressionCompressionWPH Macmillan Occupational Therapist WPH Macmillan Occupational Therapist Lesley CrowtherLesley Crowther

SCC – Occupational SCC – Occupational TherapyTherapy

Aim to maintain pt at their optimum level Aim to maintain pt at their optimum level of functional independence to enable of functional independence to enable their maximum quality of lifetheir maximum quality of life

Concerned with the functional Concerned with the functional implications of SCC symptoms and the implications of SCC symptoms and the psychological impact that loss of role and psychological impact that loss of role and function can have on an individualfunction can have on an individual

Occupational TherapyOccupational Therapy

National Cancer Rehab Care pathway for National Cancer Rehab Care pathway for MSCC recommends referral to OT within MSCC recommends referral to OT within 24/48 hours of admission.24/48 hours of admission.

Explain role of OT and undertake initial Explain role of OT and undertake initial holistic assessment.holistic assessment.

OT - AssessmentOT - Assessment

Initial interviewInitial interview To establish previous/current level of functionTo establish previous/current level of function To discuss home environmentTo discuss home environment To discuss their functional roles i.e. father, To discuss their functional roles i.e. father,

main family earner, carermain family earner, carer To ascertain what their expectations are of To ascertain what their expectations are of

treatment outcome and functional ability treatment outcome and functional ability

OT Functional OT Functional AssessmentAssessment

Including physical/cognitive/psychological Including physical/cognitive/psychological aspectsaspects

Functional Transfers/mobilityFunctional Transfers/mobility Feeding/drinkingFeeding/drinking Personal & domestic activitiesPersonal & domestic activities Access/Home assessmentsAccess/Home assessments Leisure/hobbies/work activitiesLeisure/hobbies/work activities

OT - RehabOT - Rehab

Set achievable short term goalsSet achievable short term goals Provide equip for during admissionProvide equip for during admission Personal/domestic activity retrainingPersonal/domestic activity retraining Fatigue management and pacingFatigue management and pacing Working with carers with use & provision Working with carers with use & provision

of equip/adaptationsof equip/adaptations Management of anxiety & relaxation Management of anxiety & relaxation Psychological adjustment to function lossPsychological adjustment to function loss

Discharge and Post Discharge and Post Discharge intervention.Discharge intervention.

Support/prepare pt and carers for dcSupport/prepare pt and carers for dc Refer for continued rehabRefer for continued rehab Help pt optimise functional potentialHelp pt optimise functional potential Facilitate adjustment to change of abilityFacilitate adjustment to change of ability Continual re-assessment of function and Continual re-assessment of function and

home environmenthome environment

ConclusionConclusion

OT considers the impact that MSCC OT considers the impact that MSCC symptoms have on the person’s symptoms have on the person’s functional ability. Then together problem functional ability. Then together problem solve to reduce the impact and prioritise solve to reduce the impact and prioritise what makes that individual’s day what makes that individual’s day purposeful to maintain quality of life.purposeful to maintain quality of life.