First Aid
The first step in treatment of a suspected spinal cord injury is to verify that the injured individual is breathing and the heart is beating. A spinal cord injury in the upper neck usually causes changes or loss of control of breathing.
The next step in immediate treatment of a SCI (spinal cord injury) is immobilization. This step often occurs right at the time of injury and prior to patients’ transportation to a hospital.
Doctors and emergency medical staff could place the patient in a immobilizing cervical collar or use a backboard to help prevent the spine from moving further. Movement of the spine could lead to serious damage.
After a spinal cord injury is diagnosed the patient might be perscribed high dose of steroids. This could help reducing the inflammation and swelling and thus decreasing the amount of damage caused to the spinal cord. However, there are certain risks that are associated with the use of steroids for spinal cord injury. Your doctor can help decide if steroids are appropriate in the specific case. Steroids use is only beneficial if the meds are started within eight hours of the time of injury.
Next step is placing the patient in traction or a halo device around the head to stabilize the spine and prevent more damage. Many SCI cases require surgery.
There are two major goals of surgery for Spinal cord injury.
The first goal is to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. This could involve removing portions of the vertebrae that have broken and are compressing the cord. When the spinal cord is being compressed by tumor, infection or arthritis, operation can be required to help reduce the amount of compression.
The second main goal of surgery for SCI is to help stabilize the spine. In case the vertebrae are weakened by a fracture, tumor or infection, they may not be able to supporting the normal weight from the body thus protecting the spinal cord. A combo of metal screws, rods and plates may be used to help hold the vertebrae and stabilize them until the injured and fractured bones heal properly.
Many potential complications are related to spinal cord injury. They usually require specific treatment.
Such complications include, but are not limited to:
• urinary tract infections
• bladder incontinence
• bowel incontinence
• severe pressure sores,
• lung infection and pneumonia
• bloodclots
• muscle spasms
• chronic pain
• depression
After the initial treatment most of the treatment is faced toward post-injury healing rehabilitation. Practices include various methods to help maximize the patients’ function through physical and occupational therapy and use of suitable assistive devices.
What is the outlook for SCI patients?
The best chance for recovery of function following spinal cord injury is through prompt treatment. Early surgical decompression and stabilization leads to better recovery. Aggressive physical therapy and rehabilitation after surgery also maximizes recovery. The majority of recovery occurs within the first six months after injury. Any remaining loss of function present after 12 months is much more likely to become permanent.
The use of assistive devices allows many patients (even those with severe SCI complications) to integrate fully into society, stay productive and maintain high quality of life.
Unfortunately, the rate of depression, divorce, and substance abuse are significantly higher in people with spinal cord injury.
What is the cure for spinal cord injury?
There is no cure for spinal cord injury at this time. Many physicians and scientists devote their professional lives to this goal. There have been many promising advancements in research into spinal cord injury recently. It is hoped that these advancements will lead to a cure.
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