Outpatient care unit

People with a spinal cord injury (including spina bifida) often find themselves confronted with numerous spinal cord injury-associated health problems. These include typical and commonly occurring health problems, such as spasticity, neuropathic pain, bladder and bowel dysfunction, urinary tract infections, breathing problems, respiratory infections and pressure sores. At the same time, people with a spinal cord injury have an increased risk of age-associated health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease and certain forms of cancer (e.g. bladder cancer). Lifelong care is important in order to prevent medical problems, to provide early diagnosis, and to ensure regular checks of the outpatient rehabilitation process so that people with a spinal cord injury can enjoy the greatest participatin and quality of life.  

In addition, a spinal cord injury is not a static condition. Ageing and time since onset of the paralysis change the state of health and functional ability, e.g. through reduced muscle strength and mtor abilities or increased neuropathic pain. As well as support and care for spinal cord injury-specific topics, musculoskeletal problems are also a main focus of life-long care. On top of the functional problem, particular emphasis is placed on reintegration into social and professional life. 

With the goal of maintaining or regaining optimal participation and quality of life, spinal cord injury advice services apply an interdisciplinary approach (evaulation, diagnosis, care, advice) and, depending on requirements, comprise the following (and other) areas: 

• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Occupational therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Neuropsychology
• Speech therapy
• Neurology
• Urology
• Pulmonary medicine
• Radiology
• Spinal surgery / Orthopaedics
• Neurosurgery
• Hand surgery

Nottwil is the main site for outpatient care and outpatient appointments are also offered in the two decentralised outpatient care units in Lausanne and Bellinzona. 

Comprehensive / Interdisciplinary approach

With the goal of maintaining or regaining optimal participation and quality of life, spinal cord injury advice services apply an interdisciplinary approach (evaluation, diagnosis, care, advice) and, depending on requirements, comprise the following (and other) areas:

• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Occupational therapy
• Physiotherapy
• Neuropsychology
• Speech therapy
• Neurology
• Urology
• Pulmonary medicine
• Radiology
• Spinal surgery / Orthopaedics
• Neurosurgery
• Hand surgery

Research

The aim of research within the Outpatient Care Unit is to improve lifelong care for people with a spinal cord injury and spina bifida. In addition to our own research projects, we work closely with the Clinical Trial Unit and SPR. 

Further training centre: internal medicine and physical medicine