Case Scenario

Mr SK is a 32-year-old male involved in an unfortunate diving accident while holidaying on Stradbroke Island at the beginning of the year. Mr SK was air-lifted to the nearest hospital for emergency surgery. He was diagnosed with an injury to the C4 vertebra. Prior to the injury, Mr SK was fit, healthy, with no co-morbidities and was taking no regular medications. He did not smoke and consumed 1–2 units of alcohol each week. Once stabilised in ICU, Mr SK was transferred to the orthopaedic ward and then subsequently the spinal injury rehabilitation unit. His injury was categorised as ASIA C.

Learning objectives

After reading this article, pharmacists should be able to:

  • Recognise the classifications of spinal injury
  • Discuss bowel management plans in a patient with spinal injury
  • Discuss spasticity management in a patient with spinal injury
    Recognise common complications in patients with spinal injury.

Competency Standards (2016) addressed: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.5

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Introduction

Approximately 20,800 Australians are living with a spinal cord injury (SCI), with the majority of cases resulting from trauma. A third of this cohort are classified as having a severe injury, resulting in no functionality of the affected limb.1 The incidence of SCI in m

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