Spinal cord Injuries and Disorders

The spinal cord serves as a conduit for information between the brain and the rest of the body. Layers of tissue known as the meninges and a column of vertebrae (spinal bones) surround and protect the spine. An abrupt, severe impact on the vertebrae is the most frequent reason for spinal cord injuries. Therefore, the fractured (broken) bones cause damage to the spinal cord and its nerves. Very rarely, a cut can split or completely sever the spinal cord.

How does the spinal cord affect the body?

Several vital bodily processes are lost if damage nerves are unable to communicate with the brain.  The indicators of spine damage:

• Bowel (intestinal) and bladder functions
• A heartbeat and breathing
• muscular motion
• Reflexes
• Sensations

Types of spinal cord injuries

Spinal cord injuries that are full or incomplete (partial) are possible:

• Complete Paralysis: it causes paralysis to entire below the injury. The body’s two sides are affected. Total damage may cause quadriplegia (the paralysis of all four limbs) or paraplegia (the paralysis of the bottom half of the body).
• Incomplete Paralysis: After an incomplete injury, one or both sides of the body still retain some function. The body and the brain still have certain routes of connection.

What causes injury to the spinal cord?

Here are some potential causes of spine injury, listed from most frequent to least frequent:

• Automobile collisions
• Falls, gunshot wounds
• Harm sustained while playing sports
• Concerns relating to surgery

What signs point to a spinal cord injury?

The type of damage (total or incomplete) and the injury’s location have an impact on a spine injury’s symptoms. After an accident, get immediate medical assistance if you have any of the following symptoms:

• The absence of arm or leg strength
• Less sensation in the arms or legs
• An uncontrollable urge to urinate or bowel
• uncontrollable urge to urinate Significant pressure or pain in the neck or back
• Strange lumps ascending the spine
• Breathing difficulties

How is the injury diagnosed?

A medical professional evaluates the patient in an emergency to ensure that spine damage isn’t affecting their ability to breathe or regulate their heart rate. The condition of your nerves will then be assess. The vendor confirms:

• The capacity of your body to move is refer to as motor function.
• Your level of touch sensitivity or sensory perception.
• Specific imaging studies can be use to determine a spinal cord injury:
• The purpose of a CT scan is to look for blood clots, blood vessel damage, or broken bones.
• MRI imaging of the soft tissues
• X-rays are use to show broken or displaced bones.

How should an immediate spine injury be managed?

You may need emergency surgery for spine if you have experience trauma to another area of your body. Surgery can also be perform to treat spinal cord injuries brought on by blood clots, tissue damage, or broken bones.

According to some research, a corticosteroid injection may be beneficial for spine injury. Within eight hours of the damage, the medication must be taken.

• Increase blood flow
• Keep the neurons firing
• Reduce the inflammatory reaction

Conclusion

Your life may be profoundly change by a spine injury. If you are dealing with a spinal cord injury, it is essential to have a strong support system. This support system could include your doctors, nurses, family members, friends, and neighbourhood organisations. To enhance your health and quality of life, you can all cooperate.