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Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How can I receive SCI rehabilitation care at UW Medicine?
  2. Is the UW Department of Rehabilitation Medicine conducting research on stem cells or other experimental nerve repair or regeneration techniques directed at promoting recovery from spinal cord damage?
  3. What SCI research studies are going on at the UW’s Department of Rehabilitation Medicine?
  4. Where can I find general information about spinal cord injury for new patients or other interested persons?
  5. I have a specific question about my medical condition—whom can I ask?
  6. I am a physician or other health care provider with a question about one of my patients—whom can I contact?
  7. How can I find a doctor or facility specializing in SCI rehabilitation or medical care?
  8. Are there support groups in the area for persons with SCI or their families?
  9. How can I get information and resources about hiring attendants or finding equipment, housing, or assistive technology?
  10. More contact information.

1. How can I receive SCI rehabilitation care at UW Medicine?

Both of the UW hospitals, the UW Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center, offer comprehensive rehabilitation and long-term health management for individuals with spinal cord injury ( SCI).

Outpatient: Spinal Cord Injury Clinics
Contact the clinics for referral, appointments and information:

Inpatient: Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation
Contact the patient care coordinators for information and referrals:

In addition, other UW medical specialists (orthopedists, neurologists, urologists, neurosurgeons) are available for consultation and treatment as needed. Find a UW provider at http://depts.washington.edu/rehab/care/providers.html.

 

2. Is the UW Department of Rehabilitation Medicine conducting research on stem cells or other nerve repair or regeneration techniques directed at promoting recovery from spinal cord damage?

At this time the UW Department of Rehabilitation Medicine is not conducting any human studies involving experimental therapies using stem cells or other nerve repair or regeneration techniques, such as macrophages, glial cells, or bone marrow stromal cells. Many of these therapies have only been studied in animals so far and will not come to human trial for some time. UW faculty and researchers are monitoring these SCI research activities worldwide and will participate in worthwhile research trials in the future that are determined to be promising, safe, appropriate and feasible. If the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine becomes involved in this kind of study, information will be posted on our Participate in Research Web page.

Please see the Web sites below for information about SCI recovery research.

 

3. What SCI research studies are going on at the UW Department of Rehabilitation Medicine?

The UW Department of Rehabilitation Medicine has a long history of research into treatments that alleviate many of the medical problems associated with chronic SCI. Click here for a description of research studies currently being conducted by the Northwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury System.

Studies currently seeking volunteer participants with SCI:

Check the UW Department of Rehabilitation Medicine Web site to find out about other studies in the department: http://depts.washington.edu/rehab/research/volunteers.html#sci.

 

4. Where can I find general information about spinal cord injury for new patients or other interested persons?

 

5. I have a specific question about my medical condition—whom can I ask?

Our physicians cannot practice medicine or make a diagnosis via email. If you have questions about your own or someone else’s medical condition, our best advice is to make an appointment with a provider who specializes in rehabilitation medicine or spinal cord injury so that your problem can be thoroughly evaluated and the best course of action can be determined.

 

6. I am a physician or other health care provider with a question about one of my SCI patients—whom can I contact?

 

7. How can I find a doctor or facility in my area that specializes in SCI rehabilitation or medical care?

 

8. Are there support groups in the area for persons with SCI or their families?

 

9. How can I get information and resources for hiring attendants or finding equipment, housing, or assistive technology?

Attendants.

Equipment is best explored through your personal physical or occupational therapist, if you are under the care of one of these professionals. Equipment can also be discussed with your physician or health care provider. If you are interested in learning about the latest equipment, local vendors of medical equipment can be found in the yellow pages or online.

Housing

Assistive Technology

 

10. More contact information.