A spinal cord injury is an injury that causes damage to the spinal cord. In most cases, spinal cord injuries are treated with rest, analgesics, muscle-relaxing drugs, and surgery. When the injury is more severe or the spinal cord is not stable, additional general trauma care is provided. In some cases, a spinal fusion or internal fixation is required to stabilize the spinal cord. This procedure usually aims to allow patients to move quickly and regain neurologic function.
Symptoms
An injury to the spinal cord disrupts the messages sent from the brain to the body. The injuries can cause swelling, nerve damage, and even paralysis. They can also affect breathing and bowel and bladder control. People who suffer a spinal cord injury are also at increased risk of developing blood clots. In some cases, the injury can even lead to sexual dysfunction. If you or someone you know suffers from spinal cord injury, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Initial treatment of a spinal cord injury may include immobilization of the head and neck to prevent further injury to the spinal cord. Patients may also suffer from dizziness and difficulty sitting up. The injury may also require medication and will need to be monitored for up to six to eight weeks. Further treatment may include surgery.
The level of spinal cord damage varies depending on where the injury occurs. Damage to the cervical region of the spinal cord will affect the arms and legs, whereas damage to the thoracic spinal cord will affect the lower back and mid-section. Damage to the lower spinal cord may affect bowel and bladder function.
Treatment options
There are no known cures for spinal cord injuries, but researchers are working to develop treatments that can help those who have suffered these injuries. While there is no treatment that can completely reverse the damage, there are many medical treatments that can address the problems and prevent further damage. Your doctor can give you the best advice on what medical treatment options may be best for your situation.
The first step in treating spinal cord injury is determining the cause. The doctor will use tests and examinations to determine the extent of the injury and possible treatment options. X-rays are a standard diagnostic tool and can reveal fractures, tumors, and degenerative changes in the spinal cord. CT scans can provide a much clearer image than X-rays.
Rehabilitation is an integral part of the recovery process for spinal cord injury survivors. Rehabilitation involves a multidisciplinary team of professionals, including a physical therapist, occupational therapist, social worker, recreation therapist, and a doctor specializing in physical medicine. The goal is to help patients improve their physical and mental functioning and regain a normal life.
Complications
Spinal cord injury is a serious medical condition that causes loss of function in the spinal cord. The spinal cord consists of two main tracts: the motor and sensory tracts. Both of these pathways carry signals from the brain to the body. If one of these tracts is injured, it will result in significant reduction of tidal volume and increased breathing frequency. Further, spinal cord injury may cause a loss of sexual function and bowel and bladder control.
Often, spinal cord injuries are not immediately apparent, but if left untreated, can result in more serious injuries. Injuries to the spinal cord range from temporary numbness to gradual paralysis. Recovery time and complications will vary greatly depending on how long the spinal cord is injured, as well as the extent of the injury. Injuries to the spinal cord can be caused by injuries to the vertebrae, ligaments, or the spinal cord itself.
Fortunately, recent medical advances have significantly improved the prognosis for spinal cord injury patients. The condition is still very serious, but the number of survivors is increasing each year. The primary goal of rehabilitation is to increase functional level and quality of life, and chronic complications are often a part of the process.
Prevention
Although prevention is difficult, there are some things you can do to lessen the risk of spinal cord injury. One way is to use a seatbelt, especially if you have a child. It’s also a good idea to use child safety restraints. Also, don’t drive under the influence.
Prevention of spinal cord injury has many components, including early diagnosis, rehabilitation, and early intervention. This continuum of care involves a variety of strategies that begin before an injury and continue long after it has occurred. Efforts in primary prevention include epidemiological studies, education, legislation, enforcement, and engineering and technological measures. Secondary prevention involves public health initiatives such as public education and first aid, and is the responsibility of the entire health care system.
Prevention strategies should be adjusted to the age and gender of patients. Studies indicate that the number of female patients suffering from a spinal cord injury is increasing while the rate of males has remained relatively stable. These trends may be due to the fact that men and women suffer from similar proportions of falls.
