Center for Paraplegiology Bad Wildungen (Hesse): Dr Axel Hempfing

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Dr Axel Hempfing is a specialist in paraplegiology and head of the Department for Paraplegiology at the Center for Paraplegics at the Werner Wicker Klinik in Bad Wildungen. Previously, Dr Hempfing was head of the Department of Spine Surgery / German Scoliosis Center at the hospital.

Under the direction of Dr Hempfing, the clinic treats paraplegic patients, acute and for the rest of their lives for all consequences of paraplegia in the specialist hospital recognized as a paraplegia center by the German-speaking Society for Paraplegiology.

A competent and experienced team of physicians with different specialties works closely with a highly qualified team of therapists, including nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, and social workers.

Initial Care and Treatment of Paraplegic Patients at the Bad Wildungen Center for Paraplegics

The diagnosis of paraplegia means a massive impact on the patients' and their relatives' lives. The abruptness and severity of such an incident require intensive and multifaceted treatment and care for those affected. A serious sports or work accident, but also tumors and circulatory disorders, can damage the spinal cord with varying degrees of paralysis. The paralyzes depend on the extent of the spinal cord damage; complete and incomplete paralyzes occur with possible preservation of residual motor functions.

Damage to the spinal cord caused by an accident has such serious motor, sensory and vegetative consequences that intensive acute treatment is required. Usually, affected patients are initially cared for in the intensive care unit because essential physical functions must be stabilized. Many highly paralyzed patients have to be ventilated initially. Following acute care in the intensive care unit, specific initial treatment also takes place in an inpatient context.

Dr Hempfing's team at the Department of Paraplegiology in Bad Wildungen attaches utmost importance to an intensive interdisciplinary exchange with colleagues from other treating medical specialties and to a patient-centered approach that includes the patient's relatives. Intensive communication and space for questions and concerns are emphasized in the hospital.

The many years of experience in the treatment of paraplegia make the problematic and intensive therapy and the implementation of the individual requirements of each patient possible. Much attention is paid to attentiveness, sensitivity, and empathy, and in this way, a trusting atmosphere is created by the complete treatment team.

The hand-in-hand work of nursing staff, medical team and physiotherapists, and occupational therapists provide a multi-layered and individual treatment concept, making the Center for Paraplegics in Bad Wildungen a unique treatment location.

Spinal Problems in Paraplegia: State-of-the-art Therapy for Paralysis-Related Deformities and Instabilities

Due to immobilization and the corresponding loss of muscle mass, the lack of stabilization by the back muscles can lead to deformities and instabilities of the spine. Deformities can result, along with fractures and spinal canal narrowing, which can cause problems.

The team at the specialist hospital works closely with the Department of Spinal Surgery / German Scoliosis Center to diagnose and treat spinal problems. A joint treatment concept is designed, and the need for surgical therapy is weighed.

Orthopedic Complications of Spinal Paralysis: Spasticity, Contractures & Bone Fractures

After the initial spinal shock with flaccid paralysis has subsided, almost all patients experience spasticity, which other associated complications may accompany. Spasticity means that the musculature has an increased fundamental tone, and muscle groups can cramp. This cramping occurs because of interrupted central control mechanisms of the brain due to spinal cord damage.

Conservative spasticity treatment includes passive exercise by experienced physical therapists and antispasmodic medications. The Center for Paraplegics also offers the option of infiltration therapy, which allows the spasming muscles to relax temporarily. Among the surgical treatments available is the implantation of a programmable drug pump to treat the spasticity.

The increased risk of fractures causes other orthopedic complications due to decreased bone density. In this regard, the risk of fracture is compounded by the risk of falls from a wheelchair when spasticity suddenly occurs. Such eventualities are discussed in detail with the patients to keep the risk as low as possible.

Pain in Paraplegia: Highest Expertise in Pain Therapy of Paraplegic Patients

A critical issue in treating spinal cord-injured patients is pain and paresthesia in the paralyzed areas of the body. This paradoxical pain below the level of paralysis can significantly limit the patient's quality of life and must therefore be addressed intensively and in many ways.

Pain therapy in Bad Wildungen is interdisciplinary and multimodal. It is carried out by the treating team of physicians, pain therapists and physiotherapists, and psychotherapists to address all facets of pain optimally. The broad team of different specialties brings with it many years of experience so that patients with their pain will always find a sympathetic ear and competent help.

Preventing the development of a pronounced chronic pain profile is of great importance. In addition, much attention is paid to the risk of depression and pain-related withdrawal from the social environment, and attempts are made to motivate the patients to socialize as part of their treatment.

Surgical and Conservative Treatment of Pressure Ulcers

People with paraplegia spend a lot of time sitting and lying down due to the situation. The prolonged pressure on the tissues with decreased blood flow can quickly lead to pressure ulcers.

The informing and handling of pressure ulcers and the necessary decubitus prevention are crucial and are given to the affected persons and relatives by the team around Dr Hempfing. Due to the lack of sensitivity of the affected body regions, the pressure points are not perceived by the patients and, for this reason, must be closely monitored by nurses and relatives.

Regular changes of position and positioning techniques, padding, and necessary aids to protect the soft tissues in the wheelchair are of utmost relevance. A pressure sore that has already developed requires a high level of experience and is treated by specialized staff at the Center for Paraplegics in Bad Wildungen.

The specialized treatment team takes care of proper wound management, checking and optimizing the provision of aids, and planning any surgical measures that may be necessary.

Bowel Management in Paraplegia: Holistically Coordinated Therapy for Patients Affected by Paraplegia

A significant problem in the care of people with spinal cord injuries can be the issue of incontinence. Many patients experience intense feelings of shame, so in some cases, participation in social life is avoided or severely restricted for this reason.

The colon in paraplegia can show both a flaccid symptomatology with involuntary defecation and a spastic disorder, which causes constipation and difficult defecation. The disturbed intestinal passage can lead to further complications, which must be kept in mind. These include flatulence, malnutrition, and also the risk of intestinal obstruction. In some cases, an artificial anus is created. The colleagues from proctological surgery correct possible problems with a lot of fine-tuning and close consultation.

Independent Department for Neuro-Urology in the Center for Paraplegics

Under the direction of head physician Dr Marcus Nehiba, the independent Department of Neuro-Urology in the Center for Paraplegics offers differentiated clarification and therapy of neurogenic urinary bladder dysfunctions that occur, for example, as a result of paraplegia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's syndrome, or other neurological diseases, using modern surgical and conservative procedures.

Please, visit the website of the Werner Wickler Klinik Bad Wildungen for more information.