Recommend Rehab Center in San Diego

[realm]

Hi all,
I am new to this forum and have browsed it for the past hour. Finding it very helpful. My best friend was injured between c6 and c7 while we were mounting biking on July 10th. He has been in the ICU since then and we are hearing that he will be released in the next week or so. I am trying to help his wife, who has a lot on her plate, find the best rehabilitation center to transfer him to here in San Diego. The surgeon recommended several including Sharp Memorial and Sharp Grossmont.

Currently my friend can move his arms ( not triceps) and wrists a little bit. Can't really control his fingers but he does have some sensation there. From the point of the accident to now he has not had any sensation below his nipples. He is breathing on his own and is starting to eat real food.

He was in very good shape before the accident. In addition he's incredibly intelligent, positive and head strong. Things that are sure to aid him in his recovery.

Thank you in advance for your help and input!

[SCI-Nurse]

I would not recommend any SCI rehab program in San Diego except the one at Sharp Memorial (Kearney Mesa). The program at Sharp Grossmont is nearly completely stroke rehab and they have little SCI expertise or experience. I definitely would not recommend Paradise Valley (South Bay) or Continential (next to Mercy) or Scripps Encinitas either. Ask for either Jerry Stenehjem or Amy Magnusson at Sharp Rehab for rehab physicians.

If your friend is a military veteran, then he definitely needs to go to the SCI Center at the VA San Diego Medical Center.

(KLD)

[realm]

Thank you so much for your input.

[realm]

SCI-Nurse,
After browsing the forum some more and also speaking with a friend of a friend who studied at Loma Linda University, I am now a bit concerned. Many, including yourself, have mentioned that getting to the best rehab center is the most important move to be made. The ultimate decision is the families and not mine but I am wondering if they should be considering centers other then Sharp Memorial (they moved him today...had chosen it the same day I posted the original question to the forum). Will the care he get there be so much different than at another location? Is there any other locations in So Cal that offer better programs?

Your comments are much appreciated.

[SCI-Nurse]

It would not be Loma Linda. Rancho Los Amigos is possible, but it is all the way up in Downey, and it is a county hospital...with all that entails as far as other patients (lots of gang members, etc.). What is your friend's actual experience with Sharp?? Your friend is not a veteran is he? Sharp has a decent program, he needs to push though to be sure he takes advantage of what they can offer. Which physician did he get?

(KLD)

[realm]

Interestingly enough the person that studied at loma linda recommended Rancho LM. He just got transfered today actually. they had decided on this location when I was doing my research and first found this forum. I forwarded the brother and wife the names you gave me. Not sure if they have asked for them. It is tough to get info from them as they are still dealing with the shock of the situation. I'll be visiting him tomorrow though and will be sure to inquire. He is a fighter (literally a black belt) and a very determined person. I'm sure he'll take advantage of all they can offer. If the other so cal locations aren't drastically better I think it will just be up to him to push hard where he is at. I'd say they could look at Craig Hospital or the other model centers but I just don't see the family being able to do that

Forgot to mention, his is not a Vet.

thx again for your help

[realm]

Finally getting a chance to give you an update and thank you again for your help. My friend has just regained some movement in his legs!!! They are having a very positive experience at Sharp Memorial. As long as he is getting lots of PT he is happy. He only gets down when he wants to do more PT and they can't provide it (like weekends). He was assigned to Jerry Stenehjem although I guess Dr. Stenehjem has a large case load and deals mostly with outpatients. He is still overseeing my friend though. Just not on a daily basis. We are just so happy that his legs are coming back (I got the news last night).

[betheny]

Awesome news, all around. If his biggest problem is the days he gets no PT, he's golden. I was that way, always getting into trouble for sneaking into the gym. (You were supposed to be accompanied by a PT in there.) If he asks the right way, maybe they can shake up the weekends a bit. I got them to offer us a couple of hours in the gym, sort of like free time, on Saturdays. We were all just supervised by one OT/PT on that day, whomever was available. Sure helped those lonngggg weekends go by. It's funny, I wanted it, then a couple members of my rehab posse were competitive w/ me so they didn't want me getting more gym time LOL. It turned out to be a real popular thing.

In rehab, you nearly always have to have some kind of help in the gym (I offer this as explanation.) I had to have my hands and feet ace-bandaged or velcroed to all equipment at that point and couldn't do it alone. He'll get much more independent as the months go by, with that drive.