What is Spinal Cord Injury?
The spinal cord is a part of the central nervous system. Once the spinal cord is injured, the spinal cord function of the injured spinal level and below will be impacted.
Causes:
Mechanical trauma (such as a car accident, fall from height, etc.) or non- mechanical trauma (such as poisoning, disease, etc.) can result in ischemia or edema that caused spinal cord damage. Clinical severity is diverse, depending on the location and extent of the damage, and divided into two types: complete and incomplete.
Symptoms:
Spinal cord injuries have negative impact on all systems of the human body. Some possible signs and symptoms are:
- Sensation decreases
- Motor function impaired
- Autonomic dysreflexia
- Spasticity
- Cardiovascular dysfunction
- Respiratory system dysfunction
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Metabolic disorders
- Urinary system disorders
- Sexual function disorders
- Pressure ulcers
- Multiple neuromusculoskeletal complications
- Pain
- Psychological and emotional problems, such as Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Community adaptation and social problems
NB: As the situation of every patient is different, patients should consult medical professionals based on personal conditions.
Treatment and management
In addition to spinal surgery and medication, multidisciplinary rehabilitation also plays a crucial role.
Physiotherapy
Use appropriate manual techniques, rehabilitative instrumentation, and therapeutic exercises to maintain or restore physical function, reduce complications, and minimise impact of the injuries on functional abilities and quality of life through pain management, cardiopulmonary reconditioning, balance and mobility recovery, etc.
Occupational therapy
Therapeutic intervention for upper limb recovery together with the prescription and training of assistive aid and environmental adaptations in order to improve the patients’ ability to cope with the needs of their premorbid role in the context of self-care and leisure activities .
Nursing
Help patients in managing urinary catheterization, diaper, stoma and skin care as well as effectively managing medications.
Psychosocial support
Help patients and caregivers to understand and accept the present functioning and actively face and deal with the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes.
