Robotic Legs at DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan Help Wheelchair Users to Walk

This week, DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM) became the 8^th rehabilitation hospital in the U.S. to receive Ekso, a wearable, robotic exoskeleton that powers people with lower extremity paralysis or weakness to get them standing up and walking.

Made by Ekso Bionics, Ekso is a ready-to-wear, battery-powered bionic device that is strapped over the user’s clothing. The combination of motors and sensors, along with patient assist with balance and body positioning, allow the user to walk over ground with reciprocal gait.

RIM has been instrumental in the final development and testing of Ekso.  RIM was among the first 10 rehabilitation centers in the country selected by Ekso Bionics to conduct investigational trials and partner in ongoing research. Physical therapists at RIM’s Center for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery will be using Ekso to primarily treat spinal cord injury patients for balance, posture and gait training.

“The Center for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery has a history of seeking out the most innovative and state-of-the-art technologies and therapuetic treatments for improving function and quality of life after a spinal cord injury,” says William H. Restum, PhD, President, RIM. “We believe Ekso is an exciting opportunity to further advance the functional recovery of the patients we serve.”
 

Earlier this year, six RIM patients; five paraplegics and one quadriplegic, participated in an investigational trial of Ekso at RIM. All six patients were able to walk using Ekso. Their emotional first steps were documented on video at http://youtu.be/vv3WH9E1sP4

Ekso Bionics plans to market a unit for personal use in latter 2014. For more information about Ekso at RIM, call 313-745-9932.

RIM Nurse to Receive Prestigious 2012 Nightingale Award

DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan’s (RIM), Maria Bobo, MSN, RN, WHNP-BC, will be honored with the 2012 Nightingale Award in the category of Long-Term Care/Rehabilitation Nursing at the 24th Annual Nightingale Awards for Nursing® on May 10^th at the San Marino Club in Troy. 

The awards are presented annually by Oakland University’s School of Nursing and its Board of Visitors, and recognizes exceptional nurses who are “leading the way” from all over the state of Michigan and Canada.

Bobo, a Detroit native, has been working in the nursing profession for over 17 years in various health care settings. She graduated from Grand Valley State University’s nursing program and received her MSN at Wayne State University (WSU). She is also finishing her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree at WSU.

Maria joined RIM as a clinical nurse specialist in 2009. Her primary role has been to help RIM achieve Magnet recognition. The Magnet Recognition Program is operated by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and recognizes healthcare organizations that provide excellence in nursing. It is considered the highest recognition for nursing excellence.
"Maria's energy and dedication to creating an environment of shared governance on our quest to achieve Magnet recognition is truly dynamic. Since her arrival at RIM and implementation of various initiatives, the value of nursing has improved and we are grateful to have her on our team," says Bridget A. Leonard MSN, RN, MBA, CRRN, Manager Nursing Office, RIM.

Nominees were nominated by their peers, supervisors, friends or patients for their superior service and contributions in one of eight specialty areas. Each winning recipient receives a check for $1,000, a bronze statue of Florence Nightingale and a pin.

DMC’s Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan is one of the nation’s largest hospitals specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation. The Institute is home to many innovative programs, including the Southeastern Michigan Traumatic Brain Injury System (SEMTBIS), one of only 16 federally designated centers of excellence in the U.S. for the treatment of brain injuries, and the Center for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery, a world-class facility designed to implement and study innovative treatments in spinal cord injury recovery. RIM is one of eight hospitals operated by the Detroit Medical Center (DMC). The DMC is proud to be the Official Healthcare Services Provider of the Detroit Tigers, Detroit Red Wings, and Detroit Pistons.

5 Most Common Running Injuries

Running is great exercise, however, it can cause repetitive strain on body parts and be a source of injury. Here are the top 5 most common running injuries, how they occur and the best ways to treat them.

1. Runner's Knee

Runner's knee is a wearing away of the back of the kneecap, causing pain in the knee. This can occur because of strength and flexibility imbalances, or shoes that do not give proper support. Typically, the condition is treated with correct shoe selection, orthotics and strengthening / stretching exercises. Talk to a sports medicine doctor about getting into physical therapy and learning about the best exercises to heal runner's knee.

2. Stress Fractures
Stress fractures can be caused by overtraining, a shortage of calcium, or by some basic biomechanical flaw -- either in your running style or your body structure. Common stress fractures in runners occur in the tibia (the inner and larger bone of the leg below the knee), the femur (thigh bone) and in the sacrum (triangular bone at the base of the spine) and the metatarsal (toe) bones in the foot.  See a doctor who specializes in running injuries.  Pool running is often a safe alternative to training while recovering from a stress fracture.

3. Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)
Marked by a sharp, burning knee or hip pain, ITBS is a very common running injury among marathoners. Indeed, it's responsible for as many as 80% of all overuse pains on marathon day. The ITB runs along the outside of the thigh -- from the top of the hip to the outside of the knee. It stabilizes the knee and hip during running, but when it thickens and rubs over the bone, the area can become inflamed or the band itself may become irritated -- causing pain.  ITBS may be caused by running on a banked surface that causes the downhill leg to bend slightly inward and stretches the band; inadequate warm-up or cool-down; running excessive distances; increasing mileage too quickly, or certain physical abnormalities may cause it.

4. Shin Splints
The most common type of shin splints happen on the inside of legs. These medial shin splints are a running injury that results from a biomechanical flaw in your foot (which can be made worse by a shoe that doesn't offer enough support) and/or overtraining.  Begin by making sure you have a foot evaluation to determine the correct shoe for your foot type.  Flexibility problems at the foot and ankle are also a common cause of shin splints.  Make sure you stretch your calf muscles before and after every run.

 5. Plantar Fasciitis
Also known as pain in the middle of the arch of the foot, plantar fasciitis is a running injury most frequently caused by an abnormal motion of the foot or too-tight calf muscles. Treatment should focus on determining your foot type and selecting the correct running shoe and orthotics if indicated.  A good stretching program, with emphasis on the calf musculature should be done before and after every run.

To learn more about the causes, symptoms and treatment of common running injuries, download the Detroit Medical’s Center’s FREE running App: Run with DMC. Visit the App’s video library for great advice on selecting shoes, stretching and warm-up exercises to enhance your running performance and maintain your running health. You can also use the app to locate a DMC physical therapist or sports medicine physician near you.

By Laura Ramus, PT, ATC, DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan

Former Detroit Lion, Mike Utley, to Fund Therapy for SCI Recovery

Former Detroit Lion, Mike Utley, is offering a person with a spinal cord injury (SCI), the opportunity to maximize their recovery and improve their quality of life, by providing a scholarship to DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan.

Through the generous support of the Mike Utley Foundation, Utley will be funding a scholarship to Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan (RIM). The Mike Utley Rehabilitation Scholarship (MURS) provides one free month of intense sessions designed to help the person engage in health, fitness and rehabilitation at the highest level after the program is completed.  The program will include physical therapy, biofeedback therapy, personal training and nutrition consultations. 

As a leader in the treatment of spinal cord injury, RIM sees more SCI patients than any other program in Michigan, including the most complex cases. RIM is also home to the Center for Spinal Cord Injury Recovery (CSCIR). The CSCIR is one of the first hospital-based programs of its kind in the U.S. to provide long-term, high-intensity, activity-based therapy, to optimize health and function in persons with spinal cord injury. The program incorporates the latest scientific research and innovative therapeutic techniques, in the quest to make recovery from spinal cord injury a reality.

Utley, was paralyzed during an NFL game in 1991. In the years since his injury he has inspired others with his own drive, determination and incredible motivation to strive for optimal physical performance.

Applications are now being accepted for the Mike Utley Rehabilitation Scholarship. To download the scholarship application form, please visit http://www.rimrehab.org/ and click on the “Community Programs” tab.  The deadline for submitting the application is May 1, 2012. 

About the Mike Utley Foundation

The Mike Utley Foundation was established January 2, 1992 to provide funding for research, rehabilitation and education for those living with spinal cord injuries. The Mike Utley Foundation encourages those disabled by such injuries to expand their potential through rehabilitation, physical training, education and a determined pursuit of personal goals. In addition to innovative research, the Foundation financially supports rehabilitation projects, patient and family assistance programs, patient equipment, patient and family education and therapeutic recreational programs.

Win a Brand New Wheelchair Accesible Van

Millions of people with disabilities face mobility challenges every day.To call attention to this important issue and bring it front and center to the general public, May 2012 marks the inauguration of National Mobility Awareness Month! 

The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) and MobilityWorks are taking part in celebrating the upcoming National Mobility Awareness Month. The awareness month will focus on increasing independence and the quality of life for people with disabilities. It will serve to communicate that people with disabilities can enjoy mobile, active lifestyles through safe, reliable Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles.
As part of the awareness campaign, NMEDA is giving away 3 handicap accessible vans: A Chrysler Town & Country, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna - all wheelchair accessible conversions from leading manufacturers BraunAbility and VMI.
If you or someone you know has overcome the challenges of dealing with a disability then it's time to share your story with the world. Submissions can be either a video (1 – 3 minutes) or in a written format (Up to 400 words) with a picture of the nominee.
Anyone in the community can qualify to enter – a caregiver, veteran, or person with a mobility disability.

To submit a local hero story, go to the local hero tab at http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/ where videos and written essays will be accepted from March 18 through May 13th. Each dealer in the NMEDA program is given a special number to use when submitting information. MobilityWorks – Madison Heights, MI is 885. If you use this code when voting for local hero nominations, 5 bonus points will be given to your nominee.

New Mobile App for Runners

Have you already abandoned your New Year’s resolutions to lose weight, get in shape and become more fit? If so, the Detroit Medical Center's (DMC) new running app can help you get back on track.

Whether you’re taking a jog or running a marathon, “Run with DMC” is the perfect training companion. Brought to you by the DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan and DMC’s Sports Medicine experts, the app is available on iPhone and Android platforms.

The FREE app features a Running Log to record all the details of your run and offers expert advice from the physical therapists of the DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, including videos and info about shoe selection, warm-up exercises and stretching to help enhance your running performance. Run with DMC also contains helpful info from DMC Sports Medicine medical experts on causes, symptoms and treatments for various running injuries. You can also use the app to track other forms of exercise, including walking, biking, etc.

Give it a try – just search for “Run with DMC” in your smartphone’s marketplace!

World Renowned Spinal Cord Injury Researcher, Dr. Wise Young , to Speak at RIM Symposium

Dr. Wise Young will be the keynote speaker at DMC Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan’s 4^th Annual Rehabilitation Symposium on Thursday, May 31, 2012, from 8:00 am to 3:15 pm, at the MGM Grand-Detroit.

Dr. Young is the director of the W.M. Keck Center for Collaborative Neuroscience and a professor at Rutgers. He is recognized as one of the world's outstanding neuroscientists and is a leader in spinal cord injury research.

Dr. Young was part of the team that discovered and established high-dose methylprednisolone (MP) as the first effective therapy for spinal cord injuries. This 1990 work upended concepts that spinal cord injuries were permanent, refocused research, and opened new vistas of hope. In addition, Dr. Young developed the first standardized rat spinal cord injury model used worldwide for testing therapies, formed the first consortium funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to test promising therapies, and helped establish several widely accepted clinical outcome measures in spinal cord injury research.

In August 2001, TIME Magazine named Dr. Young as ‘America’s Best’ in the field of spinal cord injury research. In 2005 he was the first researcher elected to the Spinal Cord Injury Hall of Fame.

For more information on the symposium, please visit www.RIMrehab.org/symposium. Registration opens on April 2, 2012.