Every year in the US, close to 11,000 people sustain spinal cord injuries—and a total of 250,000 – 400,000 individuals live with the results of spinal cord injuries.  Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) can be of either a traumatic or non-traumatic nature.  The most frequent causes of spinal cord injury are auto and sports accidents, falls, and industrial mishaps. More than half of the people who sustain these injuries are 30 years old or younger, and the majority of them are men.  The Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Center is a leader in the acute and rehabilitative treatment of SCI.

Patients with SCI often present with a variety of physical and emotional needs—and The Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Center is superbly equipped to address those needs. Following a complete evaluation by our interdisciplinary team and careful consultation with each patient, a comprehensive treatment plan is established and implemented. A full range of individual and group therapies are available and utilized according to need. The Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Center is especially well prepared to work with patients who may have complex medical needs. Four beds in the SCI program are dedicated for the rehabilitation of individuals who are ventilator dependent. The team works closely with the patient in an attempt to wean them from the ventilator. If weaning is not feasible, then intensive education is provided in the management and care of these individuals.

Services and programs provided in the Spinal Cord Injury Program:

• An expert team of Physiatrists with special training in the management of spinal cord injury.
• Team of dedicated rehabilitation professionals with expertise in all aspects of medical, and rehabilitative care of patients with all types of SCI.
• Direct access to all of The Mount Sinai Hospital's diagnostic and medical/ surgical services, which permits admission of patients with unresolved clinical problems and prompt intervention for acute problems should they arise.
• New, state-of-the-art, inpatient rehabilitation facility with all therapy areas located on the same floor as the nursing beds so that patients spend more time in therapy, and less time traveling to therapy.
• Comprehensive inpatient rehabilitation therapy (six days per week) that emphasizes individual therapy as well as group sessions.
• Structured rehabilitation program for patients with concomitant Spinal Cord/Brain Injury.
• Five days-per-week outpatient day program, called Do It!, designed to facilitate community reintegration.
• Patient and family education and support groups.
• Peer mentoring program.
• Functional electrical stimulation (FES), ergometry and the Freehand System.
• Male Reproductive Rehabilitation Program.
• Opportunities to participate in a wide variety of research studies related to Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal Cord Injury is a life-changing event, often with consequences that are physical, emotional and social. It is common and natural for patients and families to have many concerns and questions, but it is important to realize that many patients who have experienced spinal cord injury have gone on to lead very satisfying and productive lives. The physicians and staff of Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Center are happy to help our patients with spinal cord injury to become active participants in their own recovery.