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Dr. Cara Eileen Arpey, DO is a pediatric physiatrist in North Charleston, SC specializing in pediatric rehabilitation medicine. Dr. Cara Eileen Arpey, DO is affiliated with MUSC Health and MUSC Children's Health Rehabilitation Clinic at Summey Medical Pavilion.
Spinal Cord Injury
Spinal cord injury medicine is a branch of medicine that treats damage to the spinal cord from an injury or a nontraumatic myelopathy, which is any disorder that affects the spinal area. The spinal cord is a section of nerve tissue protected by the vertebrae (spinal bones). Trauma to the spinal cord, typically caused by compression or bent vertebrae, prevents the body and brain from communicating. This can result in pain, loss of sensation, and impaired physical function and movement. Acute spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are a leading cause of permanent disability. Spinal cord injuries may develop from accidents or myelopathies, disorders that provoke spinal compression. Traumatic incidents such as falls, sports injuries, vehicle accidents, and bullet or stab wounds can cause an acute spinal cord injury.
Spinal cord injury medicine seeks to stabilize the spine and to alleviate the symptoms of spine damage. Practitioners of spinal cord injury medicine are called spinal cord injury specialists. Spinal cord injury medicine is an interdisciplinary field, meaning physicians of various specialties may be trained to treat spinal cord injuries.
Damage to the spinal cord may initially be diagnosed through X-ray, MRI, or CT scans. Patients can also undergo spinal exams to evaluate their sensory ability and strength. Injuries to the spinal cord can be complete (no feeling or sensation) or incomplete (some feeling or sensation remains). Conditions spinal cord injury medicine specialists may treat include:
Treatment for spinal cord injuries often involves surgery, either directly after an injury occurs or at a later date. Surgery for spine injuries is intended to ease spinal compression and stabilize the spine. Surgical procedures can involve shifting vertebrae, removing bone, or altering spinal placement with implantable devices. Patients with significant spinal trauma may require urgent surgical intervention.
Surgical treatments can be complemented by rehabilitative physical therapy to improve mobility. Spinal cord injury specialists also treat complications arising from a spinal injury, such as respiratory or bladder conditions. Some patients with spinal cord injuries may require lifelong treatment. Spinal cord injury specialists aim to help these patients successfully adjust and lead an improved quality of life. An emerging treatment for spinal cord injuries is neural prosthetics, which replicate patients' lost nerve function. Neural prostheses may be used as artificial body parts or assistive devices that patients may cognitively control. Other assistive devices include wheelchairs and scooters.
Spinal cord injury specialists may collaborate with physical therapists, radiologists, neurologists, urologists, and orthopedists.
She has a state license in South Carolina.
Licensed In: South Carolina
Dr. Cara Eileen Arpey, DO appears to accept the following insurance providers: Medcost, Aetna Medicare, Cigna Medicare, WellCare, Healthy Blue Medicaid by Blue Choice, United HealthCare, Great West Healthcare (Part of Cigna now), First Choice VIP Care Plus Healthy Connections Prime Dual Medicare/Medicaid Plan, Humana ChoiceCare PPO (Group Health Plan) (through March 31, 2025), Cigna, Veterans' Affairs Community Care Network (CCN), Molina Healthcare, Tricare, Coventry, Employers Health Network (EHN), First Health, Clover Health, BCBS Blue Essentials (Marketplace), AllWell by Absolute Total Care, Aetna (Open Choice), First Choice Next, Blue Cross Blue Shield Planned Administrators, Aetna (Exclusive Choice), First Choice/Select Health (NEIC), Ambetter from Absolute Total Care (Marketplace), Blue Cross Blue Shield State Health Plan for South Carolina, Aetna (Managed Choice), Aetna (Preferred Provider Organization), Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal (FEP), Blue Cross Blue Shield Preferred Blue (PPC), Absolute Total Care (NEIC), Medicare A & B (Traditional Medicare), Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare, Group Health Plan (GHP), Ambetter from Absolute Total Care (Marketplace) and BCBS Blue Essentials (Marketplace).
According to our sources, Dr. Cara Eileen Arpey, DO accepts the following insurance providers:
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Dr. Cara Arpey is an Assistant Professor of Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina. She completed her residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Northwestern University/Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and went on to pursue fellowship training in Pediatric Rehabilitation at the University of Colorado. As a pediatric physiatrist, Dr. Arpey cares for children with a wide range of physical and cognitive disabilities, including developmental delays, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, neuromuscular disorders, brain and spinal cord injuries, and spasticity. She is deeply committed to advocating for her patients and their families, ensuring that every child has access to the resources and support they need. Her work focuses on improving quality of life, maximizing independence, and helping children reach their highest functional potential at home, at school, and in their communities. She has a special interest in the early detection of cerebral palsy and is passionate about supporting families through the challenges and uncertainties that often accompany this diagnosis.
