A spinal cord injury affects all areas of your life, including your ability to function independently and perform activities of daily living.
Since spinal cord injury is a lifelong condition, UPMC experts provide comprehensive outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation services to support you in the months and years following your discharge from inpatient rehabilitation.
UPMC is one of only 14 programs in the U.S. designated as a spinal cord injury model system. This designation means we are national leaders in research and provide the highest level of spinal cord injury care.
Spinal cord injury rehabilitation care includes inpatient, outpatient, and long-term rehabilitation services. You may receive outpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech-language therapy; follow-ups with your physiatrist; and other types of rehabilitation care after your discharge from inpatient rehabilitation.
The goals of outpatient spinal cord injury rehabilitation include:
Immediately following your spinal cord injury, you will receive inpatient rehabilitation care.
After you are discharged from inpatient rehabilitation, you may continue to receive intensive outpatient rehabilitation and, eventually, long-term outpatient rehabilitation to help you maintain your strength and level of function.
The amount of time you spend in rehabilitation after a spinal cord injury depends on many factors, including your condition and your goals. Your care team will let you know how long you can expect to be in rehabilitation and will talk through any adjustments to your care plan.
Our team treats all types of spinal cord injuries, including:
We treat spinal cord injuries that occur in all areas of the back, including:
If you have had a spinal cord injury and have been discharged from inpatient rehabilitation, you may be eligible for outpatient spinal cord injury physical medicine and rehabilitation. Our outpatient rehabilitation experts will work with you to maximize your level of function and maintain your health — days, months, or even years after your injury.
UPMC offers one of the country’s largest and most comprehensive rehabilitation networks. With more than 90 rehabilitation facilities providing inpatient, outpatient, and long-term services, our team will ensure you have access to the right level of care at the right time.
Outpatient and long-term care for spinal cord injuries cover a wide range of services and programs to help people accomplish their goals — from gaining additional independence to improving strength and mobility. We offer expert physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians, physical, occupational, and speech-language therapy, as well as customized services tailored to each person’s unique needs.
Examples of outpatient rehab services include:
Other forms of rehabilitation are prescribed based on your progress and the goals you set with your personal care team.
Physical therapy focuses on improving mobility, strength, range of motion, and flexibility after a spinal cord injury. You may also learn how to safely transfer to a wheelchair from a bed or vehicle, or practice walking with assistive devices.
Occupational therapy after a spinal cord injury focuses on restoring your ability to perform everyday tasks.
These tasks include:
Speech-language therapy after a spinal cord injury focuses on helping you communicate effectively by strengthening muscles used for swallowing, voice production, and breathing. Speech-language therapists also help you regain cognitive abilities to express yourself and understand others.
Our psychological and emotional support experts help you cope with emotional, mental, and social challenges after a spinal cord injury. Our team provides treatment for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and grief while helping you build confidence, resilience, and self-esteem.
Our family support services team will help your loved ones adjust to life changes after your spinal cord injury. This support includes managing caregiving challenges, navigating complex emotions, and improving family communication.
As a nationally designated center of excellence in spinal cord injury care, UPMC is a test site for the latest treatments.
We participate in research studies relating to:
Learn more about physical medicine and rehabilitation research at UPMC.
Our spinal cord injury rehabilitation experts will work with you to set goals and create a comprehensive plan to help you achieve them.
If you are in a UPMC inpatient facility, our inpatient rehabilitation specialists and care managers will assist you with scheduling appointments for outpatient services after you are discharged.
To prepare for your outpatient visit, you will be asked to provide:
If you get a referral from another doctor or your inpatient rehabilitation facility, they can provide your test results and medical records to our outpatient team.
You will meet with a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant when you arrive for your first appointment. If you worked with a physiatrist at a UPMC inpatient rehabilitation facility, you may be able to see the same provider for your outpatient physician appointments. The provider will ask about your medical history and perform a physical exam.
Your care team may:
Together, you and your health care provider will design and agree on a care plan.
Our team will schedule follow-up outpatient appointments as needed.
You should contact your provider if:
UPMC is a national leader in providing comprehensive rehabilitation care for people with spinal cord injuries. As one of only 14 programs in the U.S. to earn the prestigious spinal cord injury model system designation, UPMC offers access to a team of spinal cord injury rehabilitation experts, leading-edge clinical trials, and evidence-based treatment — from emergency services through rehabilitation and reentry into community life.
By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-05-16.
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