Learning Objectives:
1. Knowledge on what constitutes an ideal rehabilitation-surgery interface and the challenges in developing it
2. Impact of surgical decisions on rehabilitation outcomes
3. Importance of interaction between surgeon and the rehabilitation team in the rehabilitation phase of management

Participants:
Any level is suitable.

Target audience:
Physiatrists,Spine surgeons, All rehabilitation disciplines( includingPhysiotherapists, Occupational therapists, Psychologists, Assistive technologists),Nurses,Researchers, Consumers.

Abstract:
Appropriate rehabilitation is vital to enable persons with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) attain, as well as maintain, optimum independence and physical, mental, social as well as vocational ability in order to facilitate an inclusive life. It should ideally begin as early as possible, based on multidisciplinary assessment of individual needs as well as strengths and include the provision of assistive devices/technologies. There is the need for an appropriate surgeon – rehabilitation interface in order to have inputs on various issues which affect goal planning like mobilization, bracing, intensification of rehabilitation program and prevention/ management of post-operative complications.. However, very often the rehabilitation centres are away from the centre providing surgical management owing to the case load and financial constraints of maintaining a rehabilitation centre dedicated to the hospital. The lack of surgeon-rehabilitation team interface, hence, would affect both the early and late outcomes of persons with SCI. Therefore, it becomes prudent for the rehabilitation team to have knowledge on various surgical factors which have to be considered in rehabilitation of SCI individuals. Vice versa the surgeon needs to understand the rehabilitation process and the resultant physical demands which would have a bearing on planning the strength of the spinal construct.

This workshop is designed to define what constitutes an ideal rehabilitation-surgeon interface and it’s importance in improving the outcomes of Spinal Cord Injured individuals. By the end of the workshop each participant from rehabilitation disciplines will be able to understand the expectation of surgeons with regard to various aspects regarding mobilization and bracing as well as the possible post operative complications and emergencies. The surgeon participants will be able to understand the physical demands of the process.

Outline: The contributing participants and their role is as below:

Time Topic Speaker

2min Introduction to the workshop H S Chhabra
10 min What is a model SCI acute and rehabilitation service? Giorgio Scivoletto
10 min Do the number of vertebral levels fused affect SCI rehabilitation outcome? Patrick Kluger
10 min How does spinal bracing affect rehabilitation outcome? Hans Joseph Erli
10 min Protocol for mobilisation after surgery for SCI Francois Theron
10 min Postoperative spinal complications and emergencies: what should the rehabilitation team be aware of? Rainer Abel
10 min The physical demands of an SCI rehabilitation program: what a surgeon should know. W S El Masri
40 min Panel discussion: Challenges in developing an ideal rehab-surgeon interface Moderator: H S Chhabra

Panelists: W S El Masri, Patrick Kluger, Hans Joseph Erli,Rainer Abel, Giorgio Scivoletto, Michael Haak, S Katoh, Francois Theron, Doris Maier

3 min Carry Home Message H S Chhabra

30mins Meeting of members of STSG to discuss the plan of action for the forthcoming year