What is spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injury is damage to the spinal cord as a result of a direct
trauma to the spinal cord itself or as a result of indirect damage to the bones, soft tissues,
and vessels surrounding the spinal cord. The spinal cord is the
major bundle of nerves carrying nerve impulses to and from the brain to the rest
of the body. Rings of bone called vertebrae surround the spinal cord. These
bones constitute the spinal column (back bones).
Spinal cord damage results in a loss of function, such as mobility or
feeling. In most people who have spinal cord injury, the spinal cord is intact.
Spinal cord injury is not the same as back injury, which might result from causes
such as pinched nerves or ruptured disks. Even when a person sustains a break in
a vertebra or vertebrae, there might not be any spinal cord injury if the spinal cord
itself is not affected.
What causes spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injuries might result from falls, diseases such as polio or spina
bifida (a disorder involving incomplete development of the brain, spinal cord,
and/or their protective coverings), motor vehicle accidents, sports injuries,
industrial accidents, and assaults, among other causes. If the spine is weak
because of another condition, such as arthritis, apparently minor
injuries can cause spinal cord trauma.
What happens in a spinal cord injury?
There are two kinds of spinal cord injury -- complete and incomplete. In a
complete injury, there is no function below the level of the injury. There is no
sensation or voluntary movement. In an incomplete injury, there is some
functioning below the level of the injury.
What are the effects of a spinal cord injury?
The effects of a spinal cord injury can vary based on the injury’s
location. Injuries that are sustained near the top of the spine result in more
extensive disability (numbness and paralysis, breathing difficulty) than
injuries low in the spine. Some common outcomes are muscle spasms, the loss of
sensation in parts of the body, numbness, and paralysis. Death can result if
there is a paralysis of the breathing muscles.
How is the extent of spinal cord injury determined?
- Neurological examinations
- CT scan or MRI of the spine
- Spine X-rays
How is a spinal cord injury treated?
A spinal cord injury requires immediate treatment to avoid long-term effects. Corticosteroid
drugs such as dexamethasone or methylprednisolone are
used to reduce swelling. In some cases, surgery might be recommended. Bed rest might
be needed in order for the spine to heal. After acute spinal cord injuries
occur, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other rehabilitation
interventions sometimes are required. Currently, there is no cure for spinal
cord injury; however, researchers continue to work on advances, many of which
have resulted in a decrease in damage at the time of the injury.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 9/10/2008...#12098
