How Can People with Spinal Cord Injury Stay Healthy?

After a spinal cord injury, you are at higher risk for health problems. These may prevent you from doing the things you enjoy. To live a healthy and long life, you need to take good care of yourself. The following checklist outlines a range of things you can do to help maintain your health.

Regular Health Checkups

Doctor Examination (Yearly): Regular visits to your doctor can help detect problems early. This helps maintain your health and reduces the need for emergency room visits. Discuss any emotional, mental, or physical changes. Ask about options such as respite care, which can give your caregivers, spouse, and family members a break. Your doctor should check your heart rhythm, blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.

Urinary System Testing (Yearly): Bladder and kidney health are important after a spinal cord injury. An annual kidney and bladder ultrasound helps detect problems early. Your urologist may also perform a scope examination and kidney function tests.

Bone Density Testing (Every 1–2 Years): Spinal cord injury can weaken your bones, putting you at risk of fractures even during simple daily activities. Have a bone density test every 1–2 years to ensure your bones remain healthy.

Respiratory Testing (Annually for Some People): Ask your doctor whether you need breath stacking, pulmonary function tests, or sleep apnea screening.

Cancer Screenings: Spinal cord injury may increase your risk for certain cancers. Women should perform monthly breast self-exams. Men should perform monthly testicular self-exams. Additional routine cancer screenings include:

Colonoscopy (for those over 50)

Prostate exam (for men over 40)

Pap smear and pelvic exam (for women, every 3 years)

Mammogram (for women over 40, every 2 years)

Important Daily Activities After Spinal Cord Injury

Eat 15–30 grams of fiber daily. This helps maintain bowel health.

Relieve skin pressure. Shift your weight or lift yourself from your wheelchair every 15 minutes. Use pillows to reduce pressure when lying in bed.

Check your skin daily, and inspect your wheelchair regularly.

Maintain your wheelchair and medical equipment every 1–2 years. Ensure they are functioning properly and that your wheelchair seating is correctly adjusted.

Maintain a Balanced Lifestyle

Exercise regularly. Do at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise per week, and strength training at least twice a week.

Drink 2 liters of fluids daily. This benefits your bladder, bowels, and blood pressure.

Maintain a healthy weight. This helps with mobility, skin health, and heart function.

Quit smoking. Smoking is harmful to your heart and lungs.

Limit caffeine intake to fewer than three servings per day.

Control your alcohol consumption and avoid binge drinking.

Practice stress reduction techniques.

Get a flu shot every fall and keep your vaccination records up to date.

Stay Engaged

Develop hobbies.

Find a job or go to school.

Volunteer and give back to your community.

Participate in research studies.

Stay Organized

Keep a list of your surgeries, medications, and allergies.

If you have autonomic dysreflexia, carry your emergency information card with you at all times.

Maintain a home database of your spinal imaging (CT, X-ray, MRI).

Disclaimer

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The medical information provided here is for reference only and should not be used as a basis for clinical diagnosis or treatment.