One of the most important things you need to do when you have a spinal cord injury is move. Moving your body will prevent skin ulcers, blood clots, and joint contractures, just to name a few. The bad thing about these conditions is that they can happen very quickly, but the great thing is that they are easily preventable; you just have to move.
Range of motion (ROM) is the term that is used to describe the amount of movement you have at each joint, such as your knee. Every joint in the body has a “normal” range of motion. Joints maintain their normal range of motion by being moved.
Have someone move all your joints every day. A family member or friend can easily learn how to do it. You also need to be repositioned about every two hours if you're in bed, or every hour if you're sitting up. Repositioning can be as simple as putting a pillow under one hip, rolling on your side, or leaning over your knees and stretching your back for a minute. Doing this allows your blood to flow in the areas you were sitting on or laying on and will keep your skin healthy.
This part of your care cannot wait until you get to a rehab hospital, it has to begin immediately. Make it a priority and a part of your daily routine, whether you're in the hospital or at home.