Spinal cord injury (SCI): what is it?
Damage to the spinal cord that results in either temporary or permanent alterations in its function is known as a spinal cord injury (SCI).
Spinal cord injury (SCI): what is it?
Among the symptoms could be…
- Muscle function loss
- Feeling
- Autonomic function in the spinal cord-serving bodily regions beneath the lesion site
Any level of the spinal cord can sustain injury. It can be incomplete, allowing some nerve signals to pass through the damaged portion of the cord, or full, resulting in a complete loss of sensation and muscle function. Numbness, paralysis, and incontinence are among the symptoms that might vary depending on the extent and location of injury. Long-term results also vary greatly, ranging from complete recovery to quadriplegia or permanent paraplegia.
Although nontraumatic reasons like infections and tumors can also cause damage, physical trauma like accidents, gunshot wounds, falls, or sports injuries account for the majority of instances. The cervical spine sustains little over half of all injuries, whereas 15% happen to the thoracic spine, the area between the thoracic and lumbar spines, or the lumbar spine alone. Usually, investigations and symptoms are used to make the diagnosis.
Individual actions like wearing safety gear, as well as societal actions like traffic and sports safety laws and equipment upgrades, are all part of the effort to prevent SCI. Limiting spinal movements and keeping blood pressure within normal ranges are the first steps in treatment.Other treatments range from bed rest to surgery, contingent on the site and severity of the injury. Long-term physical and occupational treatment is frequently necessary for spinal cord injuries, particularly if they interfere with everyday life activities.
We successfully operate on about 100 patients with spinal cord injuries at our facility.