Marcus Richards
A spinal cord injury cannot be overlooked. It causes damage to any part of the spinal cord and nerves present at the end of the spinal canal. This injury may lead to a permanent change in strength or sensation. It may as well affect the other functions of the body. A spinal injury not only takes a toll on your physical health but mental and emotional health too. In many cases, a spinal injury may also affect you socially.
These injuries are of two types – complete and incomplete.
Incomplete Spine Injury:
Incomplete spinal injuries are common among adults. More than 60 percent of all the injuries caused in this region are incomplete. The orthopedic surgeons use all the proper ways to address such injuries, hence avoiding their complications. An incomplete spine injury is further divided into three types – anterior cord syndrome, central cord syndrome, and brown-Sequard syndrome.
The anterior injury is present on the front part of your spine. It leads to the damage of sensory pathways and motor. The central cord injury is present at the center of the cord. It damages the nerve of the spinal cord. In Brown-Sequard injury, only one side of the spine is injured or affected.
Complete Spine Injury:
Although complete spine injuries are less common, they are more severe. The most dangerous type of complete spine injury is Tetraplegia. In the worst-case scenario, this injury can result in paralysis; thus, affecting every limb of your body. Another complete spine injury, Paraplegia includes losing the entire movement and sensation of your body parts.
Triplegia is another form of complete spine injury resulting from all the complications arising from an incomplete spinal injury.
When to seek medical care?
You can get in touch with the professionals at the Spokane spine team and start your treatment as soon as possible upon experiencing the following symptoms:
- Pain or pressure on the head, pack, or neck
- Loss of sensation in the fingers, toes, hand or feet
- Tingling in hand or feet
- Partial or complete loss of control on any body part
- Frequent bowel or urinary urgency
- Pain and pressure in the thorax
- Impaired breathing after injury
- Lumps on the head or spine
Treatment options for spinal injury:
The treatment options of the spinal injury depend upon the type of injury that you are suffering from. Paramedics or other emergency medical services professionals immobilize the spine. The process is continued, and more immediate life-threatening problems are recognized and addressed.
Here are the available treatment options for spinal cord injury:
Non-Surgical Treatments:
You will be immediately admitted to the intensive care unit. For a majority of injuries, traction may be indicated. It helps in bringing the spine into its proper alignment. The doctors will also ensure that you get all the standard ICU care like maintenance of stable blood pressure, proper ventilation, cardiovascular function, lung function, and prevention of infection, if any.
Surgery:
During complications such as blood clots, herniated disc, or any other lesion, your surgeon will take you to the operation theatre. Surgery is required to reverse the damage caused to the spinal cord and to prevent any deformity or future pain. Your surgeon will decide the best surgical procedure that provides benefits to your body.
Takeaway:
Any kind of spinal cord injury cannot be taken lightly, as it may take a toll on your whole body. Reach out to a doctor if you are suffering from any of the above-listed symptoms. Exercise regularly and eat healthily. Avoid driving fast and prevent unwanted accidents and mishaps. Avoid anything that puts pressure on your spinal cord. Stay healthy and safe.
