The spinal cord plays an essential role in taking messages from the brain and transferring them to other areas of the body via nerves. When the spinal cord is damaged, this transfer of information can be affected, sometimes permanently. This is the case with complete spinal cord injuries, which are associated with severe and lasting health effects.
With an incomplete spinal cord injury, some nerve signals can still successfully travel from the brain to other areas. That means that a person with an incomplete injury may be able to experience sensations in the affected body parts and retain some movement, although it may be limited.
With complete injuries, communication of nerve signals is permanently cut off beneath the site of the injury. Along with lack of sensation, a person will also lose all function in the affected areas with a complete spinal cord injury.
A complete injury can result from any trauma that affects the spine. Common causes can include:
It is not always possible to prevent spinal trauma, but safe practices like wearing a seatbelt when driving and using the proper protective equipment when playing sports can reduce your risk.
A complete spinal cord injury causes paralysis, which is characterized by a total loss of function in certain body parts. The extent of this complication depends on whether a person experiences paraplegia or tetraplegia:
Along with paralysis, spinal cord injuries are also associated with complications like urinary tract infections, neuropathic pain, blood clots, and bed sores.
People who develop spinal cord injuries after bodily trauma will require emergency medical treatment. In this hospital, doctors can perform surgery to reduce pressure on the spinal cord. You may also receive drugs to decrease inflammation, such as steroids. Once the injury has been stabilized, doctors may use traction or medical devices to prevent the patient from moving and potentially aggravating the injury.
After immediate medical care has been administered, your doctor may discuss things like rehabilitation. Along with physical therapy, you may receive vocational therapy to help adapt to lost function and ability. This form of therapy can also help people learn how to use assistive devices like wheelchairs. Additionally, most people with complete spinal cord injuries require home care and assistance with daily tasks and chores.