SCI Care: What Really Matters

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Dr. Michael Fehlings is joined by Dr. Andreas Demetriades to discuss his recent publication in Spinal Cord “Lessons from 19th-century Edinburgh: a perspective on paraplegia management from 1876”. This episode covers central pillars of spinal cord injury care in the 19th century and how lessons learned during this time period has shaped care today.  

Learning goals for the episode 

• Learn about multidisciplinary spinal cord injury care provided in resource-limited situations in 19th century Scotland
• Consider the importance of holistic multidisciplinary care in current times
• Reflect on the future of spinal cord injury care based on lessons from the past

What questions will be raised in this webinar/podcast?

• Introductory remarks from Michael Fehlings
• Michael Fehlings will ask guest(s) to summarize key points from the manuscript
• Michael Fehlings will discuss points with guest(s)
• Michael Fehlings will ask guest(s) about anticipated future directions for this work as well as clinical impact

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; ISCoS does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 

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Could cooling the injured spinal cord offer a new approach to protecting neurological function after spinal cord injury (SCI)?

In this episode, we explore the potential of local hypothermia as a neuroprotective strategy for SCI, examining the biological rationale behind cooling the spinal cord and how this approach could help limit secondary injury.

The discussion looks at the latest developments in techniques and biomaterials designed to deliver targeted hypothermia directly to the injured spinal cord, as well as the challenges that need to be addressed before these approaches can become part of routine clinical care.

The episode also considers the current evidence and why further clinical trials are essential to establish the safety, effectiveness and future role of locally delivered hypothermia in spinal cord injury treatment.

Key take-home messages:

• Local hypothermia is one of the most biologically compelling neuroprotective strategies currently being explored in SCI.
• Improved techniques and biomaterials for delivering local hypothermia to the injured spinal cord are in development.
• Further clinical trials are needed to evaluate the potential of local hypothermia for SCI and determine its role in future treatment.

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; ISCoS does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 

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Dr. Alexander (Sasha) Rabchevsky joins Dr. Michael Fehlings to discuss autonomic and cardiovascular control after spinal cord injury, promising neuromodulation results, and the future of SCI research 

Learning goals:

• Cover the importance of autonomic function and cardiovascular control after SCI
• Discuss the impact of neuromodulation in SCI
• Provide an overview of future research directions in SCI 

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; ISCoS does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 

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Caroline Treanor chats with Dr. Michael Fehlings about degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) structured rehabilitation approaches as well as the highly anticipated upcoming ReMiDY trial. 

Learning objectives:

• What is degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and why is it important?
• Discussed the ReMiDY trial and the importance of evaluating structured rehabilitation for DCM
• Covered enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols for DCM and the role of structured rehabilitation 

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; ISCoS does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 

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Dr. Michael Fehlings is joined by Dr. Chester Ho – one of the new Associate Editors at Spinal Cord.  The conversation covers Dr. Ho’s perspectives on the current state of spinal cord injury research and opportunities for implementing evidence-based approaches in the clinic. 

Learning goals:

• The concept of early surgical intervention for acute spinal cord injury was discussed
• The Canadian knowledge translation efforts to implement Time is Spine were reviewed
• Other key areas in spinal cord injury treatment were discussed 

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; ISCoS does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 

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Dr. Michael Fehlings is joined by Dr. Mohit Arora to discuss his recent publication in Spinal Cord “Evidence-based recommendations for health professionals to improve care of people with spinal cord injury and cognitive impairment: An update to the psychosocial clinical practice guide”. This episode covers the factors contributing cognitive impairment after SCI, cognitive screening approaches, and future directions for the field. 

Learning goals:

• Cognitive impairment after spinal cord injury is common, frequently overlooked, can occur immediately after injury, and arises from multiple contributing factors. If not proactively addressed, it can significantly compromise rehabilitation and long-term outcomes.
• Routine, validated cognitive screening should occur early and continue across the lifespan, supported by tailored communication strategies and person-centred care.
• We now have clear, evidence- and consensus-informed recommendations, but meaningful impact depends on system level implementation, including workforce training and supportive clinical environments.

What questions will be raised in this webinar/podcast?

• Introductory remarks from Michael Fehlings
• Michael Fehlings will ask guest(s) to summarize key points from the manuscript
• Michael Fehlings will discuss points with guest(s)
• Michael Fehlings will ask guest(s) about anticipated future directions for this work as well as clinical impact

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; ISCoS does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 

You can follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn

Contact us directly with any questions or comments at [email protected]

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The Engagement and Peer Support SIG would like to bring the audience through the story of peer support from a historical perspective to its research implications. Teri, Erik, Shane, and Gill will provide how peer support came to be, what it looks like and how different it is, the magic behind it, and how to transform that magic to measurable outcomes and impacts.

Speakers

• Shane Sweet, Associate Professor, McGill University, Canada
• Gill Hilton, Austin Health, Australia
• Erik Berndtsson, Outreach Development Manager, RG Active Rehabilitation, Sweden
• Teri Thorson, Manager, Peer Coaching and Outreach, SCI British Columbia, Canada

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; ISCoS does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 

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Key points:

• International collaboration is required to produce research that can be interpreted and applied across different regions
• As outcome measures and collection methods continue to evolve a methodical approach to updating research best practices is required
• A larger focus should be on including the thoughts of persons with lived SCI experience when defining research questions

Speakers

Dr. Fin Biering-Sørensen

Dr Michael Fehlings

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; ISCoS does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 

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People with the lived experience of SCIs are one of the most vulnerable groups of in the world-both to the extreme heat and weather events which have increased in frequency because of climate change. Although health care professionals have an opportunity to educate their patients about actions they can use to protect themselves during these extreme weather events, many feel unprepared to discuss the topic. Moreover, health care professionals are beginning to experience moral distress about their inability to take action regarding this existential concern. The webinar will include participants from three continents and multiple disciplines. We will use the interactive platform mentimeter to facilitate the interaction of participants, expressing their feelings about climate change and about sharing their actions.

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; ISCoS does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 

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Key points:

• This podcast summarizes the results of a rigorous evaluation of the evidence for physiotherapy interventions in spinal cord injury using the GRADE methodology
• Muscle strengthening exercises are effective for partially paralyzed muscles with MRC Grade 3 and 4 strength
• Further evidence is required in the optimal management of severely paretic muscles

Speaker: 

Dr. Joanne Glinsky is an Associate Professor of Allied Health (Sydney Local Health District/University of Sydney) and a Senior Research fellow at the John Walsh Centre for Rehabilitation (Kolling Institute/University of Sydney). She has a strong interest in physiotherapy management of people with Spinal Cord Injury and has worked for over 25 years as a clinician, educator and researcher in this field.

The opinions of our host and guests are their own; ISCoS does not endorse any individual viewpoints, given products or companies. 

You can follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn

Contact us directly with any questions or comments at [email protected]