The factors influencing community reintegration of traumatic spinal cord injury patients in a South African population

Abstract

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition and is associated with permanent disability and decreased life expectancy (Rahimi-Movaghar et al., 2013). Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury (TSCI) as the name implies occurs as a result of a traumatic event such as a motor vehicle accident (MVA), fall or violence (WHO, 2013; Nwadinigwe, Iloabuchi, Nwabude, 2003). Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) can further be categorised into complete or incomplete loss of motor function and sensation of the cervical, thoracic, lumbar- sacral segments and other body regulation processes, the latter resulting in the loss of bladder and bowel control.