Abstract
Given an increase in the prevalence of acute traumatic cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) in the United States, the need for the development of effective rehabilitation strategies is concomitantly rising. Rehabilitation, however, is a multifaceted process which requires a cogent understanding of the pathophysiology of SCI. It is essential to institute this rehabilitation process expeditiously following the initial trauma to maximize recovery, to improve functional outcomes, and to prevent further deconditioning. Numerous technological advances resulting from increased research and clinical trials into effective rehabilitation strategies, such as the use of epidural stimulation, various cellular replacement therapies, and exoskeletons, have provided clinicians with a wider armamentarium of tools with which to approach the rehabilitation process following acute traumatic cervical SCI. Nonetheless, an optimized rehabilitation program can drastically improve quality of life and can significantly enhance recovery in patients with cervical SCI.
