Spinal cord injury occurs due to damage to the spinal cord or injury to the nerves at the end of the spinal canal, also known as “Cauda Equina”. The spinal cord injury results in temporary and permanent loss of body function, such as mobility, strength and sensation below the injury site.
It can also lead to paralysis, sensation loss, and bladder and bowel control. However, it is not necessary that only severe injuries to the spinal cord result in loss of function. Most of the time, the spinal cord is intact, but the damage results in loss of function. In addition, there is a huge difference between spinal cord injuries and back injuries such as spinal stenosis, ruptured disk and pinched nerves.
Classification of Spinal Cord Injuries
Classification of spinal cord injuries
SCI can be classified as either complete or incomplete, depending on the extent of the damage to the spinal cord.
Complete Spinal Cord Injuries
A complete spinal cord injury means no function below the injury site. For example, there is no sensation and no voluntary movement. It means that the patient suffering from complete spinal cord injuries cannot move or feel anything at and below the site of trauma.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries
An incomplete spinal cord injury means there is partial function below the level of injury. For example, some sensations and movements are present below the trauma site. Characteristics of incomplete spinal cord injury include the following:
- An affected person can move one limb more than other.
- He can feel the parts of his body that cannot move.
- He can also experience more functioning on one side of the body.
Other classification, based on the location of paralysis
Spinal cord injuries result in paralysis of the body. Based on location, these kinds are as follows:
- Tetraplegia: This kind of paralysis is also known as “Quadriplegia”. The injury affects major body parts such as arms, hands, trunks, legs, and pelvic organs.
- Paraplegia: A part of the leg, trunk and pelvis organs are affected. Sometimes it affects the whole trunk and leg.
Spinal cord injury is a UMN lesion or LMN lesion?
An upper motor neuron lesion is characterized as a lesion of the motor nuclei of the cranial nerves or a neural pathway above the anterior horn of the spinal cord. However, a lower motor neuron lesion affects nerve fibres from the spinal cord’s anterior horn to the associated muscle(s).
Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal Cord Injury is a life-altering injury that can be caused by various factors, including trauma, disease, and infection. Most spinal cord injuries can result from damage to ligaments, vertebrae or disks of the spinal column. In addition, a spinal cord injury can result from a sudden, traumatic blow to the spine resulting in fracture, dislocation, crush and compression to one or more vertebrae. It can also result from a gunshot and knife injury that penetrates and cuts the spinal cord.
Common causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
The most prevalent causes of spinal cord injuries include the following:
- RTC (Road Traffic Accident): Motor vehicle and auto accidents are the leading cause of SCI. These account for more than half of spinal injuries.
- Falls: This is an age-related cause. After the age of 65, falls are the common cause of spinal cord injuries.
- Acts of violence: Violent counter is a common cause of injuries. It includes the gunshot and knife cut types of wounds. It accounts for 12% of injuries.
- Sports and recreation injuries: Sports such as diving and impact sports can also cause spinal cord injuries. These account for 10% of SCI.
- Other medical conditions: Other medical conditions include cancer, osteoporosis, arthritis, and inflammation of the spinal cord can lead to spinal cord injuries.
Signs and Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injuries
The common sign and symptoms of spinal cord injuries include the following:
- Loss of mobility
- Loss of sensation, such as cold and heat
- Difficulty breathing, coughing, and clearing secretions from the lungs
- Loss of bladder and bowel control
- Alterations in sexual function and fertility
- Abnormal reflex and muscular spasm
- Spasticity and flaccidity (depending on the type and location of injury)
- Numbness or Tingling sensation
- Difficulty in coordination and balance
- Weakness and paralysis in any part of the body
Can spinal cord injury be treated?
The most common question regarding spinal cord injuries is, ” Is spinal cord injury curable? Unfortunately, there is currently no cure for SCI, but treatments are available that can help improve quality of life.
Early management and precautions can help reduce the chances of more significant loss. Some of the treatment options include the following:
- Physical therapy
- Medications
- Assistive devices can help improve mobility and reduce pain.
- Exercise plays an important role in restoring the quality of life of an affected person.