A Community Collaboration

The Center for Spinal Cord Injury is a unique community collaboration between the Roper Rehabilitation Hospital, the Medical University of South Carolina, Carolinas Rehabilitation and Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund. The Center will serve more than 1,000 in the area living with spinal cord injuries.

Roper Rehabilitation Hospital, nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), has been recognized for achieving the highest levels of patient satisfaction in the nation for overall quality care.

Roper Rehabilitation Hospital is a 52-bed, state-of-the-art “hospital within a hospital” dedicated solely to rehabilitation and functional recovery.

Admitted 73 SCI patients in 2010. Of those, 14 were traumatic SCI patients.
Discharged 86% SCI patients home compared to the national rate of 79%.
The age range of SCI patients treated was 12 years to 82 years old, with an average age of 62.
Therapy delivered in a one-on-one setting as well as the latest technology – Lite Gait® and Maxi Sky®

The Medical University of South Carolina offers comprehensive medical and surgical services to patients in South Carolina and beyond. As an academic medical center, MUSC is at the forefront of the latest advances in medicine and groundbreaking research and technology.

Patients at MUSC benefit from access to world-class physicians working in a multidisciplinary team approach to care that involves the close collaboration of specialists from across the medical spectrum. Incorporating clinical research and basic science into the everyday matrix to ensure that the latest protocols and research findings are employed in developing each patient’s treatment plan options.

Patients at the Center for Spinal Cord Injury will have access to the new Center for Rehabilitation Research in Neurological Conditions at MUSC which is considered on the cutting edge of neurorehabilitation research, as well as a state-of-the art physical and occupational therapy programs including the Wheel Chair Seating Program.

Carolinas Rehabilitation is one of the busiest centers in the nation, and one of 17 sites nationwide to be awarded a Traumatic Brain Injury Model System grant by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research.

Carolinas Rehabilitation conducts extensive research on brain injuries, treatments and outcomes. A full range of services for victims of spinal cord injury are offered and their stroke recovery protocol has become the model for hospitals throughout the region.

Offer a wide variety of special services specifically designed for SCI patients.
Conducts SCI clinics in Charlotte area directed by board certified SCI physiatrist.
Lokomat Robotic-Assisted Gait Training Equipment
Management of Ventilator-Dependant Patients
Assistive Technology Lab
Adaptive Sports and Adventures Program
Often considered for clinical trials and research studies offering new treatment options for patients with SCI.

The Spinal Cord Injury Research Fund was established in 2000 by the State of South Carolina legislature (Bill S54 44-38-510) to promote research to develop better understanding of causes and effective treatment strategies for paralysis, sensory loss, and other consequences of spinal cord injury and disease. The Fund is funded by a $100 per DUI surcharge, first received in March of 2001. As of May 30, 2011, the Fund had raised $7,902,670.60. The average monthly amount collected has been approximately $62,600.

The Fund is governed by a seven member board appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the President of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). It is comprised of two medical doctors from MUSC; two medical doctors at large specializing or significantly engaged in the treatment of spinal cord injury; two members who have a spinal cord injury or a family member; and one at large medical doctor who is a member of the South Carolina Medical Association.