At the UC Davis Medical Center we offer rehabilitation services for people who have suffered a spinal cord injury. These services are offered to both inpatients and outpatients . Our overall goal is to help patients become as independent and self-reliant as possible and obtain a healthy and active lifestyle. 

The Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) service is the only one of its kind in inland northern California that provides integrated comprehensive management to patients with spinal cord injuries and diseases.  A full spectrum of comprehensive diagnostic and patient management services are available.

Patient Resources

California DMV Resources

What the DMV has to offer

Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists 

Find certified driving rehabilitation instructors

Bond Driving School

Local adaptive driving school

Mobility Works

Wheelchair-accessible vehicles to buy/rent

Wheelchair Getaways

Quality rental vans with accessible options

National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association

Certifying body for adaptive vehicle purchase

New Mobility Blog

Considerations about driving from people with SCI

The Franklin Project

Additional rehabilitation for those who have not received appropriate care and who do not ave the financial means to cover costs themselves

Empower SCI

Residential program with physical therapy, occupational therapy, recreation therapy, and monitoring

United Spinal

Free membership gets you resources, advocacy, and community

Disability Rights California

Defends and improves the rights of Californians with disabilities 

Mobility International USA

Non-profit organization headquartered in Eugene, Oregon, advancing disability rights and leadership advocacy

American Spinal Injury Professionals (ASCIP)

ASCIP is an organization for professionals, but they have great resources for you too

Unite 2 Fight

Advocacy organization working to help with research efforts, policy, and fundraising

NorCal SCI

Various support group resources

WAGs of SCI

Support group for wives and girlfriends of those with SCI

California Government Support

Provides information on California support systems for caregivers

United Spinal Caregiver

Virtual support group meetings

United Spinal Parent

Virtual support group meetings

Local

Lionheart

Sacramento-based SCI group with monthly meetups and mentors 

NorCal SCI

Northern California-based SCI group

Easter Seals

Northern California Disability Group

United Spinal Local

National organization with support groups in California

National

Backbones

Exists to help people with spinal cord injury or disease and their families connect with their communities

North American Spinal Cord Injury Consortium

Connects people with SCI

Mount Sinai SCI Newsletter

Newsletter with current information on events, programs, new treatments, research developments, and other issues

Women on Wheels

Groups for women

Wheel with Me

Connection and support both locally and online to help foster independence and a well-rounded life for wheelchair users

Here for Women

Improving access to healthcare services, information, and education to bridge existing information gaps for women with SCI

Spinalpedia

Mentoring network and videos of different adaptive techniques

United Spinal Virtual

Variety of online groups

Office of Access and Functional Needs (OAFN)

Access and Functional Needs Library

Special Needs Registry: Google your city's "special needs registry" to see if they have a registry

Achieve Tahoe

Adaptive sports in Lake Tahoe

Access Leisure

Provides sports, residential camping, outdoor education, and social and fitness programs

Wheel With Me Adapt Fit App (Available with Apple and Android)

Fitness app for wheelchair users that includes routines and classes

National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability

Adaptive fitness guide

HEAL

Local adaptive sports groups

Mount Sinai Home Workouts

Individual workouts and virtual classes

Move United

National adaptive sports organization

Edgemate

Pool chair

Kraken

Miscellaneous adaptive items

Sheperd Center 

3D print blueprints

CAF Grant

Grant for equipment and sports related devices

United Spinal Access Initiative

Sub-group of national organization focused on adaptive equipment

EquipMeOT Instagram Account

Occupational therapist showcasing various adaptive equipment

SCI Trial Finder

Register to be notified of trials you are appropriate for

SCI Trials

Register to be notified of trials you are appropriate for

Miami Project

Research happening at this institution

Kessler Research Institute

Research happening at this institution

Shirley Ryan Ability Lab

Register to be notified about research happening at this institution

Shepherd Center

Research happening at this institution

Lab Rats (Unite 2 Fight)

Helps to partner SCI patients with research teams to help create research

National Institutes of Health

Information about what being involved in a clinical trial is like and what to consider before enrolling

Spinal Cord Society

Organization for SCI research

Coupon Chief

Retail savings guide for people with disabilities

California Food Stamps

Social Security

Apply now, be prepared for long processing time

FREED

Equipment reuse program

NorCal SCI Donated Equipment

Pick up or donate durable medical equipment (DME)

Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation

Their goal is to improve quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis

The Jireh Foundation

Improving the quality of life of underserved UC Davis Health patients

Nor Cal SCI

Provides information, resources, and programs for people affected by or living with a spinal cord injury or disorder in Northern California

Push

Spinal Destination

HBO

Dan Holmes: The Boy Who Lived

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeves Story

Quad Gods

Netflix

Crip Camp

FFORA

Bags, cup holders, and other accessories easily attach

Feeldom

Wheelchair-friendly bags (power and manual)

Cushpocket

Wheelchair bags

Rolling in Paradise

Specialized assistive adaptive technologies 

Clinic Staff

The staff of the Spinal Cord Injury Clinic at the UC Davis Medical Center are trained professionals with extensive experience working with patients in SCI rehabilitation.  In addition to the trained rehabilitation medicine hospital staff, the patient is seen by a physician who has had post-graduate medical training in rehabilitation medicine.

Rehabilitation Services

In addition to the regular clinic staff other specialists are available for consultation and treatment as needed in disciplines such as Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Prosthetics and Orthotics through the UC Davis Medical Center.

What to expect

Your first visit to our SCI Clinic will include a physical evaluation, medical history and it may be necessary to obtain laboratory tests, x-rays and consultations with other specialists.  Our clinic staff will then plan the proper care and rehabilitation plan to help you cope with your challenges as an individual with SCI.

What to Bring

  • Copies of pertinent medical records, recent tests, evaluations and/or x-rays
  • Any assistive devices you may use such as braces, walkers or a wheelchair
  • A list of all the medications you are currently taking
  • The name and address of your primary care provider

Services and Treatments Available

  • Intensive care for the acute management of patients with spinal cord injuries
  • Rehabilitation unit staffed by nurses, therapists and physicians specially trained in the acute and chronic management of patients with spinal cord injuries
  • Ambulatory clinic facilities for consistent, routine patient follow-up

Contact and Referral Information

Health care professionals who wish to refer a patient to the UC Davis Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic should call 800-4-UCDAVIS or 800-482-3284

Patients who would like more information about the clinic should call 916-734-7041.