Rehabilitation of a SCI patient involving the medulla oblongata injury after a traffic accident: a case report

Rehabilitation from medulla oblongata injury is extremely rare. We found a case with injury from medulla oblongata to spinal cord C3, which was manifested in sensor and motion loss, gatism and a short-time conscious disturbance. Due to the incomplete injury, the rehabilitation was successful while the gatism was completely recovered and most sensorimotor function regained. This patient was diagnosed with C2 cervical spine fracture, medulla oblongata injury and spinal cord injury (C4, AIS C). Therapeutics interventions included respiration, reposition, transfer, eating, hygiene, dressing and grooming training, passive and assistive movement, tilt bed, and low frequency pulsed electric therapy for four limbs and bladder to the restoration of function, accompanied with drugs to nourish nerve and to improve circulation. This case showed a surprisingly achievement in rehabilitation from SCI involving medulla oblongata and deficiency of specific therapy in this field as well.