Every year in the United States, there is an average of 12,000 new spinal cord injury (SCI) cases. Spinal cord injuries commonly result in either partial or total paralysis below the level of the injury. In cases where the patient is permanently paralyzed, a spinal cord injury results in a complete loss of sensation and function below the injury, sometimes causing lifelong breathing difficulties, sexual dysfunction, and incontinence. Most spinal cord injuries are accidental and caused by physical trauma –meaning they’re the result of an accident forceful enough to break or crush the spinal cord. Among the leading causes of spinal cord injury are traffic accidents, falls from heights, and slip-and-fall accidents.
Spinal Cord Injury – Types
Vertebrae are the series of bones protecting the spinal column that run down the back of the human body from the base of the skull. Though designed to flex and accommodate physical stress, these hard bones can be broken or dislocated by too much force or trauma. Any accident that severs, pinches, or crushes the spinal cord can leave an accident victim partially or fully paralyzed. In certain cases, treating a less-severe injury quickly can increase the likelihood of recovery.
- Complete Injury: In most severe spinal cord injuries, the spinal cord is severed completely, resulting in total paralysis below the injury site. Paralysis of the lower body and lower extremities is called paraplegia, while paralysis in all limbs, with an injury site above the chest or shoulders is referred to as quadriplegia. The effects of a complete injury are permanent and irreversible.
- Incomplete Injury: Certain types of trauma may only pinch or squeeze the spinal cord without severing it entirely. Cartilage discs located between the vertebrae can also be displaced or ruptured during an accident. Displacement or damage to vertebrae or discs can place pressure directly on the spinal cord. Blood flow might also be temporarily blocked or leaking spinal fluid can also fill the spinal canal and increase pressure on the cord – producing temporary or limited paralysis.
Spinal Cord Injury – Treatment
A spinal cord injury is a serious, potentially life-threatening medical emergency. After a fall or other accident where a spinal cord injury is suspected, an ambulance or airlift (medevacnn) may be necessary to move the patient to a hospital equipped for acute neurological care and, if necessary, neurosurgery. The time that elapses between the initial injury and the beginning of medical intervention is critical to stopping secondary damage and a potentially worse outcome for the injured person.
Following any emergency surgeries or other neurological procedures, a considerable period of bed rest in an acute care unit can be expected. This time may be needed to allow the bones of the spine to heal. A patient might also be placed into spinal traction to help keep the spine from changing position while it heals.
Family members and loved should not hesitate to ask questions about the spinal cord injury, recommended treatment options, and making adjustments at home. A spinal cord injury patient’s neurological care team can provide information on a physical rehabilitation plan. The team can also offer helpful tips for at-home care to include installing adaptive equipment as well as personal care to address issuess like muscle spasms, skin care needs and incontinence.
Spinal Cord Injury – Statistics
- Nearly two-thirds of sports and recreation-related spinal cord injuries involve diving (swimming pool) accidents
- 50-70% of all new SCI cases each year consist of people ages 15-35
- 57.1% of spinal cord injury patients were employed at the time of injury
- From 1973-79, the average age at injury was 28.7 years, since 2010, the average age at injury is now 42.6 years
- Less than 1% of spinal cord injury patients experience complete neurologic recovery by hospital discharge
- Marital Status: 51.6% of patients are single at the time the injury occurs. The likelihood of beginning a new marriage after a spinal cord injury is slightly less, as is the probability of an existing marriage remaining intact in comparison with non-injured people
- Men account for nearly 82% of all SCI patients (women=18%)
- One year after injury, only 11.8% of spinal cord injury patients remain employed or go back to work
References:
Spinal Cord Injury Association of Illinois
