Formation of the locomotor stereotype in patient with consequences of the spinal cord injury (single case)

Abstract

The problem of rehabilitation of patients with diseases of the locomotor system has become one of the most actual in the recent years. Nowadays this problem becomes extremely important in such diseases as multiple sclerosis, stroke, infantile cerebral palsy and consequences of the spinal cord injury. This phenomenon is connected with the fact, that number of patients with such diseases has a tendency to growth, rehabilitation of these patients is rather expensive, and at last, these patients often need constant and manysided help from the relatives.1–10 Nowadays acute necessity for search for the most effective methods and means of rehabilitation of such patients appeared in Russia. The main purpose of these methods is to receive the best restorative effect for the shortest time. Application of the exoskeleton during walking of patients with different diseases of the locomotor system is one of such methods. Medical exoskeleton “ExoAtlet”, elaborated in Russia, is intended for assistance to people with the limited physical possibilities. This exoskeleton may be applied both for the medical and for the social rehabilitation of patients with the locomotor disturbances. As it has already been mentioned, spinal cord injury is one of the most serious disease. Traumatic injury of the spinal cord is a reason of the remarkable changes of the person’s life. This is true not only for the main physiological processes (disorder of the motional functions, of the function of the pelvic organs, of the respiratory and cardio-vascular systems, trophic disorders), but essentially changes quality of life of patient and his family, demands adaptation to quite new social, economical and professional conditions of existence. 2–5,8 Different authors note, that steady growth of the part of the spinal cord injury in the structure of the combined trauma is observed in Russia.2–8 According to data of M.A. Leontiev, for the last 70 years number of patients with the spinal cord injury increased in 200 times.7,8 Every year 8 thousand people receive spinal cord injury in Russia, and 10 thousand in USA. Trauma of the spinal cord affects two or more levels in 10-12% of cases, multiple injuries are observed in 34% of patients.8 Severity of this process is conditioned by the character, length, level and the degree of injury of the spinal cord.1–10 But even inconsiderable injury of the spinal cord dooms majority of patients to many-years sufferings.