Table of Contents
A spinal cord injury ...
- Usually begins with a blow that fractures or dislocates your vertebrae, the bone disks that make up your spine
- Most injuries don't sever your spinal cord
- Damage is caused when pieces of vertebrae tear into cord tissue or press down on the parts of nerves that carry signals
A spinal cord injury is either defined as complete or incomplete:
- Complete: if all feeling and motor function is lost below the neurological level
- Incomplete: if there is some motor or sensory function below the affected area
Paralysis from a spinal cord injury is referred to as:
- Tetraplegia or quadriplegia: arms, trunk, legs and pelvic organs are all affected by your spinal cord injury
- Paraplegia: paralysis affects all or part of legs, trunk and pelvic organs
Signs and Symptoms:
- Loss of movement
- Loss of sensation, including ability to feel heat, cold and touch
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Exaggerated reflex activities or spasms
- Changes in sexual function, sensitivity and fertility
- Pain or intense stinging sensation
- Difficulty breathing, coughing or clearing secretions from lungs
Common causes of spinal cord injuries
- Motor vehicle accidents: leading cause of spinal cord injuries, account of 40% of new cases a year
- Acts of violence: account for 15% of spinal cord injuries, often involving knife or gun wounds
- Falls: most common cause among individuals over 65
- Sports/recreation activities: especially diving into shallow water
- Alcohol: play a part in 1 out of 4 spinal cord injuries
- Diseases: cancer, arthritis, and osteoporosis can also cause injuries to the spinal cord
Treatment possibilities
- Medication: Medrol can reduce damage to nerve cells and decrease inflammation for acute spinal cord injury when given within eight hours of injury
- Immobilization: traction aids to stabilize the spine and bring it into proper alignment
- Surgery: can be used to remove bone fragments compressing on the spine or stabilize the spine to prevent future pain
- Rehabilitation: form of on-going care with physical therapists and other doctors to aid in the recovery process
- Experimental treatments
- There is however no way to reverse damage to the spinal cord, but multiple methods of treatment and support.
Prevention
- Drive safely
- Wear a seat belt every time you're in a vehicle
- Don't drive while or ride with someone under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Be safe with firearms
- Prevent falls
- Take precautions when playing sports
- Check water depth, don't dive into shallow water
