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Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation - MDT-led, lifelong, human.

Consultant rehabilitation physician-led MDT for traumatic and non-traumatic SCI. Inpatient rehab, community and outpatient programmes, and lifelong follow-up - with bladder, bowel, skin and mental health taken as seriously as walking.

See indicative pricing
A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What private SCI rehabilitation costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across our specialist rehab network.

In short

£3,800–£7,500, all-inclusive.

Programme Indicative range
Consultant rehab medicine assessment £400–£700
Residential SCI rehab (per week) £3,800–£7,500
4-week intensive residential block £15,000–£28,000
12-week inpatient programme £45,000–£85,000
Day-rehab programme (per day) £450–£850
Outpatient physio session £110–£180
Annual SCI review (lifelong) £450–£900

Prices vary by centre, by level of nursing dependency and by whether specialist equipment is included. Most patients need a mix of inpatient and outpatient care.

The problem

The whole person, not just the walking test.

SCI rehabilitation is where fragmented care quietly under-delivers - physio without bowel management, no mental health, no lifelong follow-up. We fix all four.

  • Real MDT, not a badge

    Consultant, physio, OT, urology, bowel, psychology, peer support - under one plan, meeting weekly.

  • Bladder and bowel taken seriously

    The commonest cause of hospital readmission after SCI. We plan management before it becomes a crisis.

  • Lifelong review

    Annual SCI review for the rest of your life - bladder, bowel, skin, respiratory and mental health, in one appointment.

When it helps

When specialist SCI rehab is the right step.

The situations we see most, plus the red flag that means acute spinal referral, not a rehab booking.

  • Traumatic cervical SCI (tetraplegia)

    Cervical spine injury with upper and lower limb weakness. Highest care needs, longest inpatient stay.

  • Traumatic thoracic or lumbar SCI (paraplegia)

    Chest or lower back level injury with leg weakness. Focus on wheelchair skills, bladder, bowel and reintegration.

  • Incomplete SCI

    Preserved sensation or motor function below the injury. Rehab tailored to the specific ASIA impairment.

  • Cauda equina syndrome

    Lower motor neurone injury with specific bladder, bowel and sexual health needs. Often incomplete - recovery variable.

  • Non-traumatic SCI

    Tumour, transverse myelitis, ischaemia, syrinx - same rehab principles, often less predictable trajectory.

  • Late-stage or top-up rehabilitation

    For patients years post-injury who want intensive rehab to break through a plateau or address new problems.

  • Return-to-work programme

    Vocational rehab, workplace assessment, employer liaison - often the deciding factor in long-term wellbeing.

  • Red flag: new weakness or bladder change

    New or worsening weakness, bladder retention, saddle numbness or fever needs same-day acute spinal review - not a rehab referral.

Programme types

Inpatient, outpatient, community and late-stage - different intensities, same team.

What each pathway involves - intensity, duration, and the outcomes it targets.

  • Inpatient specialist SCI rehab

    The gold standard for new SCI. Full MDT under one roof, 12–20 weeks typical.

  • Step-down / transitional rehab

    Between acute inpatient and community - where equipment is being installed at home.

  • Day-rehabilitation programme

    Structured MDT rehab five days a week without overnight stay. Suitable for local patients with stable medical status.

  • Community outpatient rehab

    Physio, OT and specialist reviews at home or clinic - the long tail after inpatient discharge.

  • Locomotor training

    Bodyweight-supported treadmill and robotic exoskeleton training for selected incomplete SCI.

  • Functional electrical stimulation (FES)

    Electrical stimulation of paralysed muscles for standing, cycling and upper limb function.

  • Vocational rehabilitation

    Return-to-work assessment, retraining and employer liaison.

  • Mental health and peer support

    Specialist psychology, peer mentors and family support - not optional add-ons, core to the plan.

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

SCI rehab is intensive but safe. What we plan around: autonomic dysreflexia, pressure areas, bladder infections, DVT and mental health.

  • Autonomic dysreflexia is the emergency

    Sudden severe headache and high blood pressure in T6-and-above SCI. Life-threatening if not recognised. Staff and patient training is core.

  • Pressure sores are preventable

    Pressure care starts on day one - mattress, cushion, turning schedule, skin checks. A grade 4 sore is a rehab-year setback.

  • Bladder and bowel management is prevention

    Regular emptying and a bowel programme prevent urinary sepsis, obstruction and social crisis. Non-negotiable.

  • DVT and pulmonary embolism risk is real

    Anticoagulation, compression, and surveillance in the first six months. We do not stop early.

  • Respiratory care in cervical SCI

    Cough assist, respiratory physio and ventilator planning for high tetraplegia. Chest infections are the commonest killer.

  • Mental health screening at every review

    Depression, anxiety and PTSD are common after SCI. We screen, we treat, we do not accept them as inevitable.

  • Falls and manual handling

    Transfers, wheelchair falls and driving accidents cause secondary injury. Skill training and equipment fitting reduce risk.

  • Sexual and reproductive health

    Fertility, erectile function and pregnancy planning are addressed openly, early, and by the right specialists.

  • Red flags in the community

    New weakness, autonomic dysreflexia signs, high fever, uncontrolled bladder or bowel change need same-day contact with the SCI team.

Reading your notes

Your rehab summary in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whatever pathway you follow, the discharge summary keeps to the same shape.

A UK rehab consultant reviewing an SCI rehabilitation plan

A quiet reminder

Clinical language is precise - we translate it if you would like.

If you would like us to talk you through your notes before your review, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Diagnosis and neurological level

    ASIA impairment scale, level of injury, cause, admission date.

  2. 02 Progress

    MDT goals met

    Motor recovery, transfers, wheelchair skills, bladder/bowel independence, cognitive and mood status.

  3. 03 Care plan

    Equipment, meds, care package

    Wheelchair, cushion, standing frame, medications (baclofen, laxatives, catheters), care hours funded.

  4. 04 Follow-up

    Lifelong review plan

    Read this first: your next SCI clinic, community physio schedule, and named contacts for each specialty.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Cover for SCI rehabilitation varies. Traumatic SCI is often insured; non-traumatic and long-term community rehab often are not.

Frequently asked

Everything patients and families ask about SCI rehabilitation.

Quick answers on timelines, outcomes, cost and lifelong care.

  • How long does inpatient SCI rehabilitation take?

    Typical inpatient stay is 12–20 weeks for a new complete SCI, shorter (6–12 weeks) for incomplete injuries. Time is spent building strength, wheelchair skills, bladder and bowel independence, transfers, and a workable discharge plan for home and work.

  • What is the difference between complete and incomplete SCI?

    Complete SCI (ASIA A) means no motor or sensory function below the injury. Incomplete (ASIA B–D) means some preservation. Incomplete injuries have better recovery potential, and rehab is tailored to what specifically is preserved - walking, hand function, bladder awareness.

  • How much does private SCI rehabilitation cost in the UK?

    Residential SCI rehab runs £3,800–£7,500 per week all-inclusive. A 12-week inpatient programme runs £45,000–£85,000. Day-rehab runs £450–£850 per day, and outpatient physio £110–£180 per session.

  • Will private insurance cover SCI rehabilitation?

    For traumatic SCI, private medical insurance and - in accidents - motor or employer liability insurance often fund significant blocks of rehab. Non-traumatic SCI and long-term community rehab are more variable. We map your funding across NHS, PMI, and case-management routes before booking.

  • Can I do rehab years after my injury?

    Yes. Late-stage top-up rehab can break through plateaus, build strength lost to sedentary life, retrain for work, or address new problems like shoulder overuse or bladder change. We often see the biggest life impact from a well-scoped 4-week block five years post-injury.

  • What about return to work and driving?

    Vocational rehab is embedded in our programmes - assessment, workplace visit, employer liaison and retraining as needed. Driving assessment (adapted controls where needed) is standard, usually 6–12 months post-injury depending on level and function.

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