Spinal cord injuries: acute care management and rehabilitation.

Spinal cord injury can have a devastating effect on patients and their families. An understanding of the mechanism of injury and how this can relate to functional ability assists healthcare professionals to anticipate the care that is required and any difficulties that the patient may encounter. Knowledge of spinal cord injury and the effects on the cardiorespiratory, gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems enables clinicians to provide effective care tailored to actual and potential complications, such as spinal shock and autonomic dysreflexia.