Intense care and dedication ...

Press, 27 July 1976, Page 17

Intense care and dedication ...

It is only in our time that medical science has in any way mastered the treatment of the spinally injured. Twenty years ago many spinal fractures inevitably resulted in death. Even today, some people seem to think that a broken neck always means death. The most critical of the spinal injuries are indeed in the neck because the spinal cord at that position — known as the cervical area — delivers the nervous system to the rest of the body. The degree to which one is paralysed is therefore determined by the height of the injury and its severity. If the spinal cord is totally cut in the neck, then the chances of recovery from paralysis are nil. There is no known way of repairing the spina! cord and its immeasurably intricate pattern of nerves. Whatever the degree of injury the paralysis resulting is known as quadraplegia or tetraplegia. They mean the same thing. Partial damage to the spinal cord in the neck

often produces total paralysis at first, but this often relents as the injury heals and . limited movement promoted by physiotherapy returns. Very high injuries in the neck may produce sudden death because the nerves which supply the respiratory system are destroyed. The vertebrae in the neck are therefore the most vital in the protection of the body’s nervous system.

Damage to the vertebrae further down — in the rib or thoracic area — causes paraplegia or paralysis in the upper part of the trunk and legs. Injuries to the lumbar part of the spine — between the chest and the hips — induce paralysis of the legs although the trunk is generally all right. The success, limited or otherwise, in treating the spinally injured, has been due to the intense care and dedication of surgeons, nurses, and a strong back-up force of people at the Christchurch spinal unit.

It is a matter of honour that the entire staff involved in the unit get patients on the road to re-

covery as fast as possible. There is nothing glamorous about the work: plenty of frustration, constant alertness, and meticulous supervision ensuring that patients in their total or partial numbness do not become victims of the dreaded pressure sores, or urinary or chest infections.

To minimise the risk of chest infections, patients in the early stages of recovery may have to be taught again to cough to help them remove phlegm from their chests.

The Christchurch spinal unit which cares for severe cases from Hamilton southwards, believes that patients get the best modern treatment available. The unit never blows its own trumpet but people with authoritative knowledge speak in glowing terms of it and its staff.

.Since the beginning of 1974 there have been 100 cases through the unit, of which 46 per cent have been victims of motor vehicle accidents, 14 per cent from severe falls, 12 per cent medical cases (such as tuberculosis of the spine), 10 per cent

from rugby, 9 per cent from riding accidents. St John of God Hospital sees quadraplegics only after they have been through the first recovery stages at the spinal unit at Christchurch Public. The Halswell unit mainly offers residence for quadraplegics who for one reason or another cannot receive the care and attention they need on a day-to-day basis. Halswell opened as a spinal unit only six years ago with three patients but the number has since grown to 11.

The hospital may better be described as a hostel for spinal patients. Whereas considerable nursing care is necessary at a high nurse-to-patient ratio of four to 11, the atmosphere is one of relaxation, with as few strictures as possible.

The St John of God Brothers have a long tradition of caring for the sick which spans 438 years to their founder, a Spaniard, John Ciudade. whose mission was an order of brothers who would care for the sick and disabled without reference to race or creed.

The brothers are registered nurses, and the resident manager of the nursing at Halswell, Brother Duncan, is a son of this city who completed his noviciate and nursing training in Australia. Administratively, the hospital is controlled by Brother Coakley, who came from the West Coast.

The hospital spinal unit has enjoyed considerable support from the service clubs and people generally in Christchurch. If the support falls short at all it is in the area of employment opportunities businesses offer to the physically handicapped. The problem is simple. It requires the co-oper-ation of employer and handicapped employee in siting a work position. Some quadraplegics who have recovered the partial use of their arms have made it again in full-time employment thanks to their determination and motivation.

Others still bound and gagged, so to speak, by their afflictions are waiting for someone to exploit their talents.