Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries typically occur because of a blow to the spine, but sometimes they can be caused by an infection called spinal stenosis or a birth defect like spina bifida, where the spine does not form properly. A blow to the spine through trauma such as a fall or car crash can break or dislocate vertebrae, the individual bone segments along the spine. These damaged vertebrae bruise or tear the spinal cord, damaging nerve cells and causing complete or partial paralysis. The higher the injury on the spinal cord, the greater the paralysis; for instance, damage in the neck can paralyze the chest, arms and legs. Damage lower on the spine can paralyze the legs and lower body. Some feeling and movement may return over time depending on the level of injury and the patients muscle strength.
Recently Answered
- Q What causes spinal nerve root compression?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyA common cause of spinal nerve root compression is pressure from a herniated or slipped disk. The animation shows how a herniated disk can put pressure on spinal nerve roots. Full Answer
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- Q What does rehabilitation after spine surgery involve?
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Mark Dickey , FitnessRehabilitation after spine surgery will involve a physical therapist and their staff to develop a therapy plan to regain endurance, flexibility, and strength to the surgical area. The therapy plan, usually done at a physical therapy facilities, may... Full Answer
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- Q What is autonomic dysreflexia?
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It is a potentially dangerous complication of spinal cord injury in which blood pressure rises to dangerous levels. If not treated, autonomic dysreflexia can lead to stroke and possibly death. This answer is based on source material from the National... Full Answer
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- Q What is minimally invasive spinal surgery?
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The minimally invasive spinal surgery has to do with minimally invasive techniques being used to perform surgery using instrumentation. The most commonly used instruments are the endoscope, the thoracoscope, and the laparoscope. In spinal surgery the... Full Answer
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- Q What can my child eat after lower spine surgery?
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After your child wakes up from lower spine surgery, he can take clear liquids that are easily digested. Clear liquids include Pedialyte, water, apple juice, Gatorade, a Popsicle, and plain Jell-O. Most babies can take a bottle or resume... Full Answer
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- Q Why do spinal cord injuries increase the risk for bed sores?
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The immobilization that can result from a spinal cord injury increases your risk for bed sores. Aside from not being able to reposition yourself frequently, however, other factors related to a spinal cord injury can also make you more susceptible... Full Answer
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- Q What is the treatment for central cord syndrome?
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There is no cure for central cord syndrome, nor is there a standard course of treatment, although drug therapy, surgery, and rest are often part of the program. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is used to indicate the degree of spinal cord compression... Full Answer
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- Q What is spinal nerve root compression?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologySpinal nerve root compression describes pressure such as from a herniated disk on a spinal nerve root. Watch to learn more about spinal nerve root compression. Full Answer
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- Q What are symptoms of spinal nerve root compression?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz, CardiologyPressure on a spinal nerve root can cause pain, tingling, and numbness along the path of the affected nerve. The animation shows how the path of this pain. Full Answer
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- Q Can X-ray help diagnose a spinal cord injury?
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X-rays are one radiographic tool used to assess sports injuries, broken bones, fractures, cancer, and some infections, as well as to rule out other serious problems. Depending on where your spinal cord injury occurs, a doctor may use an x-ray to make a... Full Answer
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