Spinal cord injury is the damage thatoccurs anywhere in the spinal cord or nerves at the end of spinal cord. Theinjury is most severe and is termed as acute spinal cordinjury when it occurs in the cervical region and results inquadriplegia or paralysis which affects arms and legs. The injury in spinal cord may be complete or incomplete and may occur in cervical, thoracic, lumbar or sacral region.
Acute spinal cordinjury occurs due to falls, accidents, sportsor driving injuries, violence, infections or birth injuries. The disorder isdiagnosed through blood tests, X rays, CT scan and MRI and requires immediate medical attention.
X rays decipher spinal cord problems,tumours, fractures while CT scan throw light precisely on abnormalities inbones and discs through cross-sectional images. MRI employs magnetic field and radio waves to spot herniated discs, blood clots and other issues that cause spinal cord compression.
Though acute spinal cordinjury may not be reversed, treatments promote nerve cell regenerationor improve function of remaining nerves after the injury. The treatment alsotries to prevent further injury when patients return to routine life.
Immediate medical treatment is required tominimize head and neck trauma after which secondary problems like musclecontractures, pressure ulcers, bowel and bladder issues and respiratory infections must be averted.
Treatment for acutespinal cord injury depends upon age and medical history of the patient,extent and type of spinal cord injury, response to initial treatment andpatient’s preference. Recovery depends upon severity of the injury and while few recover in the first six months others take one to two years to recover.
Besides damage of independence and physicalfunction, recovery includes facing other complications such as neurogenicbladder and bowel, urinary tract infections, pressure ulcers, orthostatic hypotension, fractures, deep vein thrombosis, autonomic dysreflexia and other depression disorders are confronted after acute spinal cordinjury occurs.
Rehabilitation team including physicaltherapist, occupational therapist, nurse, psychologist, dietician works withthe patient for recovering from acute spinal cordinjury. During early stages ofrecovery process therapists focus on maintenance and improvement of muscle strength, redevelopment of motor skills and adaption to routine life tasks.
Recovery from acutespinal cord injury includes stages such as reduction of swelling,recovery from surgery, regaining sensation and movement below the site ofinjury, using assistive devices like wheel chairs and prostheses, practicing new ways to do routine tasks and strengthening the body.
Psychological recovery from acute spinal cordinjury is as important as physical recovery. Developing an attitude isimportant since many survivors of spinal cord injury suffer from anxiety,depression and other psychological issues.
Spinal cord injury can affect respiratorysystem especially when the cervical cord in injured. Intense use of respiratoryaids can minimize risks of pneumonia, bronchial mucous plugging and respiratory failure. Muscle functions can be enhanced so that alveolar ventilation is maintained in the recovery of acute spinal cordinjury.
For those whoselung function is damaged, non-invasive assisted ventilation is performed forrehabilitation period or for longer periods.
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