Medication
The second stage of addressing a spinal cord injury focuses on surgical treatment. There are several different purposes behind a spinal surgery including removing foreign objects, removing bone fragments, decompressive surgery to address herniated disks that are compressing the spine, and tendon transfer surgery is a procedure limited to one year after injury aimed at …
Procedures
Therapy
Self-care
Nutrition
See more
What to do if someone has a spinal cord injury?
How do you treat a spinal cord injury?
Is there any cure for spinal cord injury?
Are You protecting your spinal cord from injury?
See more
Can a person recover from spinal cord injury?
With many spinal cord injuries, especially incomplete ones, the individual may recover some function as late as 18 months after the injury. In very rare cases, people with spinal cord injury will regain some functioning years after the injury.
Which medicine is best for spinal cord?
A spinal cord injury requires immediate treatment in order to address life-threatening complications and to decrease the risk of long-term problems. Corticosteroid drugs such as dexamethasone (Decadron) or methylprednisolone (Medrol) are used to reduce swelling. In some cases, surgery may be recommended.30 Aug 2021
What happens when spinal cord is damaged?
When the spinal cord is damaged, the message from the brain cannot get through. The spinal nerves below the level of injury get signals, but they are not able to go up the spinal tracts to the brain. Reflex movements can happen, but these are not movements that can be controlled.
How long can you live with spinal cord injury?
Individuals aged 60 years at the time of injury have a life expectancy of approximately 7.7 years (patients with high tetraplegia), 9.9 years (patients with low tetraplegia), and 12.8 years (patients with paraplegia).
Why are spinal cord injuries so serious?
The spinal cord contains the nerves that carry messages between your brain and the rest of the body. The cord passes through your neck and back. A spinal cord injury is very serious because it can cause loss of movement (paralysis), function, and sensation below the site of the injury.
How do you know if your spinal cord is damaged?
Emergency signs and symptoms of a spinal cord injury after an accident include: Extreme back pain or pressure in your neck, head or back. Weakness, incoordination or paralysis in any part of your body. Numbness, tingling or loss of sensation in your hands, fingers, feet or toes.2 Oct 2021
What are the three types of spinal cord injuries?
There are three types of complete spinal cord injuries:Tetraplegia.Paraplegia.Triplegia.27 Dec 2016
What are the treatments for spinal cord injury?
Medications. Medications may be used to manage some of the effects of spinal cord injury. These include medications to control pain and muscle spasticity, as well as medications that can improve bladder control, bowel control and sexual functioning.
How to rule out spinal cord injury?
In the emergency room, a doctor may be able to rule out a spinal cord injury by careful inspection and examination, testing for sensory function and movement, and by asking some questions about the accident.
Why do you need to immobilize your neck?
Immobilizing your neck to prevent further spinal cord damage. Avoiding possible complications, such as stool or urine retention, respiratory or cardiovascular difficulty, and formation of deep vein blood clots in the extremities. If you do have a spinal cord injury, you'll usually be admitted to the intensive care unit for treatment.
How does spinal cord injury affect your life?
You may wonder how your spinal cord injury will affect your everyday activities, job, relationships and long-term happiness. Recovery from such an event takes time, but many people who are paralyzed progress to lead productive and fulfilling lives. It's essential to stay motivated and get the support you need.
What is the best test to check for herniated disks?
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce computer-generated images. This test is very helpful for looking at the spinal cord and identifying herniated disks, blood clots or other masses that may be compressing the spinal cord.
What tests are needed for neck pain?
But if the injured person complains of neck pain, isn't fully awake, or has obvious signs of weakness or neurological injury, emergency diagnostic tests may be needed. These tests may include: X-rays. Medical personnel typically order these tests on people who are suspected of having a spinal cord injury after trauma.
What are the problems that doctors look for after a patient's injury?
After the initial injury or condition stabilizes, doctors turn their attention to preventing secondary problems that may arise, such as deconditioning, muscle contractures, pressure ulcers, bowel and bladder issues, respiratory infections, and blood clots.
What is the goal of spinal cord injury treatment?
The primary goals of spinal cord injury treatment are to help minimize complications and promote functional independence. Every spinal cord injury is unique, so a personalized approach to rehabilitation that targets each individual’s specific weaknesses is essential. Many factors such as the level and severity of injury, secondary complications, ...
What is the purpose of physical therapy for spinal cord injury?
Physical therapy is the foundation of spinal cord injury rehabilitation. It focuses on improving mobility through targeted exercises. A physical therapist will evaluate your functional abilities and create a personalized exercise regimen designed to maximize range of motion, strengthen the muscles, and improve movement patterns.
Why do stem cells help with spinal cord injuries?
In contrast, stem cell therapy is intended to promote the regeneration of damaged spinal cord tissues. Because stem cells can divide infinitely and differentiate into various cell types depending on their surrounding environment, they show great potential as a treatment for spinal cord injuries.
How does oxygen help with spinal cord injury?
Oxygen plays an essential role in cellular activity and may help reduce secondary damage after a spinal cord injury by reducing swelling, promoting tissue growth, and increasing the production of antioxidant enzymes.
Why is spinal cord stimulation important?
Because the spinal cord adapts based on demand, highly-repetitive and task-specific movements are essential for promoting neuroplasticity . Consistent stimulation will help the spinal cord perceive a demand for that function and prompt circuit reorganization.
What to do if you have a respiratory injury?
If your injury resulted in any respiratory complications, then you may need to work with a speech therapist to improve your breath support, increase cough strength, and teach you how to manage secretions.
Do ventilators help with spinal cord injury?
Ventilators may be necessary to breathe after a higher-level (C1-C5) spinal cord injury that affects control of the diaphragm. Now that you understand what treatments help stabilize the spinal cord immediately after injury, let’s discuss rehabilitation treatments.
Spinal Cord Injury Treatment
The first stage of spinal cord treatment usually initiates in an emergency room department as a form of trauma care.
Contact an Experienced St. Louis Personal Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you have suffered a spinal cord injury due to an accident or harm caused by another, it is important to discuss the circumstances of your injury with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help to protect your legal rights and interests.
Diagnosis
Treatment
Clinical Trials
Coping and Support
Specialist to consult
Preparing For Your Appointment