Spinal Cord Injury Symptoms
Spinal cord injuries occur when vertebra are dislocated or broken and as a result cause traumatic injury to the spinal cord. Christopher Reeve put a celebrity face to spinal cord injuries from his fall from a horse that left him paralyzed from the neck down. Paralysis affecting most of the body is called quadriplegia and paralysis affecting only the lower body is called paraplegia.
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Causes
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In a spinal cord injury, the vertebra are fractured, compressed, dislocated or crushed. This injury may come from a single traumatic injury such as an automobile accident, a fall or a gunshot or knife wound. Non-traumatic injuries can damage nerve fibers over time from diseases such as arthritis, cancer or infections.
Types of Spinal Cord Injuries
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In a partial spinal cord injury, the spinal cord is still able to send some messages to the brain so sensations may be felt and you may be capable of some movement. In a complete spinal cord injury, you lose all or most ability to feel sensation below the site of the injury. A complete spinal cord injury does not necessarily mean the spinal cord is cut, only that significant damage has been caused to it.
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Symptoms
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Symptoms of both partial and complete spinal cord injury include loss of movement, intense pain or stinging in the spinal cord, loss of bladder or bowel control, spasms and difficulty breathing.
Emergency Symptoms
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After an accident, fall or traumatic injury, symptoms of spinal cord injury may include extreme back pain, pressure in your neck, back or head, loss of consciousness, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, difficult breathing, difficulty retaining balance when standing or walking and a twisted neck or back.
Emergency Treatment
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Immediate medical attention is required to minimize the effects of spinal cord injuries. Emergency personnel will attend to helping you breathe, keep you from going into shock and immobilize your head and neck to prevent any further damage. You will normally be taken to the intensive care unit where tests will be run to evaluate the extent of your injury.
Treatment
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Medrol is a corticosteroid given for spinal cord injuries. According to the Mayo Clinic, when given within eight hours of injury Medrol has shown to aid recovery in people with acute spinal injuries. The medication reduces inflammation and damage to nerve cells. Surgery is common in spinal cord injuries to remove bone fragments, herniated disks or vertebra that may be compressing a nerve. After surgery and release from the hospital, you will begin a rehabilitation program to help you with muscle strength and learn how to cope with daily tasks.
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