Abstract
In the past 20 years great advances have been made in the medical and nursing management, rehabilitation and resettlement of patients with serious spinal neural disease and injury. Special spinal units have played an important part in these advances.
A change is occurring in the type and site of serious spinal lesions, and more intensive and sophisticated specialist services have become available for their diagnosis and treatment.
Preference is given to the term ‘Spinal Service’.
Patients with traumatic lesions require admission to a central accident unit, part of a general hospital, and then as soon as possible are transported to a spinal rehabilitation unit. Special planning is required for war casualties.
Non-traumatic spinal lesions are particularly common, especially those due to congenital malformations of the spinal cord.
The spinal rehabilitation unit should either be part of a general rehabilitation hospital or a general hospital. Full facilities are required, including those for teaching and research.
Interchange of knowledge in the management of patients with serious spinal disease between all those who may be concerned with such patients is essential.
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Harris, P. Organisation of spinal units. Spinal Cord 5, 132–137 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1967.17
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.1967.17
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