Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

Spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation at UPMC Rehabilitation Institute is a specialized program that helps people who have injured their spinal cords. We have a team of experts who work together to provide the best care and support possible. Our goal is to help you regain your independence and improve your quality of life after a spinal cord injury. We offer therapies, cutting-edge treatments, and rehabilitation services tailored to your needs.

We are dedicated to helping individuals on their journey to recovery and helping them live the best life possible after a spinal cord injury.

Contact the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute

Contact the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute to learn more about inpatient rehab.

Spinal Cord Injury Rehab

As one of the country's leading rehab programs, UPMC Rehabilitation Institute offers state-of-the-art technology and complete services to help you recover.

Technologies, like those at the Robotics and Gaming Center, help you relearn walking and complete daily tasks. This helps you live a more independent life after your rehab stay.

Our SCI rehab team includes experts in:

• Mobility and strength
• Balance and coordination
• Skills for daily activities
• Communication abilities
• Bladder and bowel control
• Skin care
• Coping with emotional challenges

Family Involvement

We strongly encourage family members and caregivers to actively engage in their loved one's SCI rehabilitation journey. Your involvement can make a significant difference in their recovery. Here's how you can play a crucial role:

• Attend therapy sessions with your loved one.
• Show patience and understanding.
• Celebrate their progress, no matter how small.
• Understand what tasks your loved one can handle independently and where they may need help.
• Collaborate with health care professionals.
• Spend quality time with your loved one outside of therapy and engage in interests that can boost their spirits and sense of normalcy.
• Make necessary home modifications.
• Prioritize your personal well-being.

Model Systems

According to Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center, “The SCI Model System centers provide a multidisciplinary system of rehabilitation care ranging from emergency services through rehabilitation and reentry into full community life. SCI Model System centers also conduct research, provide education, and disseminate information with the goal of improving long-term functional, vocational, cognitive, and quality-of-life outcomes for individuals with SCI.”

UPMC Rehabilitation Institute is one of only 14 programs in the U.S. designated as a spinal cord injury model system. This means we're national leaders in research and provide the highest level of care.

Learn More About Rehabilitation After SCI

Read SCI rehab stories from UPMC patients.

Or visit UPMC's HealthBeat blog for:

• How a Student Overcame a Traumatic Spinal Injury
• How a Logger Overcame a Severe Spinal Injury

Our SCI rehab experts

• Jessica Berry, MD
• Amanda Harrington, MD
• John Horton, MD
• Melissa Michaluk, DO
• Debbie Tan, MD

Training future spinal cord injury experts

The UPMC Rehabilitation Institute is home to southwestern Pa.'s only SCI fellowship program.

This is where our fellowship-trained experts teach the next generation of SCI doctors from around the country.

Looking for...

• Inpatient Rehabilitation.
• Outpatient Physical, Occupational, or Speech Therapy.
• Rehabilitation Doctors.