The biopsychosocial model and spinal cord injury

Objective: To highlight the importance of taking the psychological, social and biological aspects into consideration when dealing with somatic complaints of spinal cord injured patients. Setting: Supra-regional Spinal Injury Unit in the UK. Study design: Case study series. Material and methods: The somatic complaints of four patients with spinal cord injury were assessed and their relationship to psychological and social issues were correlated. Two patients suffered unexplained pain, another excessive spasm uncontrolled with intrathecal Baclofen pump and the fourth with several pressure sores, constipation and other physical problems. The impact of psychosocial issues on the somatic complaints were analysed. Results: In all four patients the resolution of their psychosocial issues resulted in significant gains vis-a-vis their somatic complaints. Conclusion: Psychological and social issues of spinal injury patients could have a serious impact on the resolution of somatic complaints. It is important to take these into consideration in their treatment.