Spinal Cord Injury FAQs

 

 

In many cases, a spinal cord injury results in significant functional loss and disability. While the exact causes of spinal cord injury vary, some patients may have a variety of complications. These complications affect multiple organ systems. A qualified medical provider will work to manage these complications. For more information, read our spinal cord injury FAQs. Listed below are some of the most common complications that can arise following a spinal cord injury. If you suspect that you may have suffered a spinal cord injury, seek medical attention immediately.

 

If a spinal cord injury has occurred, immediate treatment may include positioning the patient on a backboard and putting a special collar around their neck. Although surgery will not completely reverse the damage caused by spinal cord injury, it can help stabilize the spine and prevent further deformity or pain. Surgical procedures are available for a wide variety of spinal cord injuries, but they may not be immediately available in all cases. Some spinal cord injuries are so severe, they may require extensive treatment.

 

Another type of spinal cord injury is a traumatic injury to the cord. This type of injury can occur suddenly, on one level, or several levels. It may also occur concurrently with other forms of trauma to the body. Regardless of the cause, spinal cord injuries are serious and can affect a person's ability to move. A person with a spinal cord injury should not move unless it is absolutely necessary. Moreover, they should stay completely still until medical help arrives.

 

A medical professional should assess a spinal cord injury to determine the extent of damage. Depending on the severity of injury, the patient may be classified into one of several levels. For example, partial spinal cord injury (SCI) means that movement below the level of injury is limited. Incomplete spinal cord injury may affect one side more than the other. As a result, a spinal cord injury may result in paraplegia. When this happens, the patient will be unable to walk or function properly.

 

In the United States, approximately one-third of all new traumatic spinal cord injuries are caused by motor vehicle accidents. Fall-related injuries are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries among those under the age of 65. While falling is the leading cause of SCI among young adults, violent encounters account for 12% of all spinal cord injuries. Some diseases may also result in a spinal cord injury. However, the risk of spinal cord injury is still higher in older adults than in children.

 

In the meantime, research is being conducted to find new ways to restore function after a SCI. Researchers have been successful in implanting 3D-printed scaffolds into sites of severe SCI in rats. The 3D-printed scaffolds help stem cells mimic the anatomy of the spinal cord and guide them in growing and reproducing. Ultimately, stem cell therapy could improve the quality of life for individuals with SCIs. If successful, it could help restore movement and feeling in people with SCI.

Click here for more details about this service: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinal_cord_injury.