Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Program

At Mayo Clinic, your spinal cord injury rehabilitation begins in the intensive care unit of the hospital after your condition has stabilized. Your treatment team understands that you and your family may experience many emotions, such as confusion and anxiety, after your spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injury specialists usually meet with you and your family in the hospital shortly after your injury has been identified to educate you, provide emotional support and begin your rehabilitation.

Inpatient rehabilitation unit

Mayo Clinic's comprehensive state-of-the-art spinal cord injury inpatient rehabilitation unit is located at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus, in Rochester, Minnesota. Patient rooms are designed to provide you and your family with a comfortable environment.

Before you're admitted into the unit, the SCI/D team will evaluate your status and ability to participate in intensive therapy sessions. The team will work with you and your family to determine a specific rehabilitation plan and goals.

The type and amount of therapy you'll receive is based on your individual needs, goals and treatment plan. You'll participate in therapy for a minimum of three hours daily, five days a week. Therapy services are available Monday through Sunday. Rehabilitation nursing is available 24 hours a day.

A key goal of inpatient rehabilitation is to return you to your home or to another type of independent living setting. After being discharged, you may still need ongoing rehabilitation in the outpatient spinal cord injury care program.