Spinal Cord Injury: Types, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

What causes a spinal cord injury?

Most spinal cord injuries (SCIs) are the result of a sudden, traumatic impact to the spine —  for instance, a car accident, fall or sports injury. An SCI occurs when the bones in the back (vertebrae), spinal cord, or surrounding soft tissue are injured, resulting in a loss of communication between the brain and parts of the body. Which parts of the body are impacted depend upon the severity and location of the spinal cord injury.

What happens when your spinal cord is damaged?

The spinal cord is like an information super highway for your body. Composed of bundles of nerves, 31 butterfly-shaped bones called vertebrae, and a covering of soft tissue called myelin, it is the conduit for every message sent between your brain and body. When the spinal cord is damaged, this information flow between the brain and body parts below the injury site is restricted or completely blocked. The result is a loss in function or sensation in those body parts.

What are the types of spinal cord injury?

Broadly speaking, SCIs are considered either complete or incomplete:

A complete SCI occurs when the spinal cord is injured or severed and communication between the brain and body below the injury site is completely blocked. For instance, a complete SCI in the lumbar region (lower back), may lead to paralysis below the waist while the upper body and arms retain their function, a condition known as paraplegia. If the injury is in the cervical area (neck), complete paralysis may occur in the lower body and upper body, a condition known as quadraplegia or tetraplegia. A complete SCI always results in paralysis on both sides of the body below the site of the injury.

An incomplete SCI reduces but does not completely block communication between the brain and the body parts below the injury. Incomplete SCIs affect one or both sides of the body and are vastly different from patient to patient. In some patients, an incomplete SCI may cause the loss of sensation in one arm and both legs, known as triplegia; in others, it causes very little damage and allows for an almost complete recovery.

What areas of the body are affected by SCI?

Any body part, organ, sense or function can be affected by a spinal cord injury. This includes reflexes, muscle movement, bladder and bowel function, sensations, breathing, heart rate, metabolism, and more.

What are the symptoms of a spinal cord injury?

Symptoms of a spinal cord injury may appear directly after the injury occurs, or may occur gradually.

SCI symptoms include:

• Changes in the arms or legs
  • Weakness, decreased sensation, numbness or tingling
  • Varying degrees of paralysis
  • Loss of motor function (voluntary movement)
  • Problems walking
• Pain or feelings of pressure in the head, neck or back
• Frequent headaches
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Unusual lumps along your spine
• Difficulty breathing
• Changes in mood or personality
• Loss of fertility, libido or sexual function
• Periods of pneumonia

What is the best treatment for a spinal cord injury?

After hospitalization and initial treatment, inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation is necessary to help patients adjust to their injury and to restore as much function as possible. Each patient has a unique injury that requires a unique treatment plan, but most include:

• Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) specialists known as Physiatrists provide care to maximize function, mobility and independence in patients with SCI. Physiatrists are specially trained, and coordinate with other members of the treatment team to address patients’ physical, emotional, medical and vocational needs.
• Physical therapy helps with exercises and stretching to manage pain, improve circulation, prevent muscle atrophy, reduce weakness and contractures of the muscles and to improve overall wellness. Physical therapists also help patients build the necessary strength to safely move between bed and wheelchair or from sitting to standing and walking.
• Occupational therapy helps patients develop the skills for activities of daily living (ADL) so they can be as independent as possible. This includes exercises to develop fine muscle control, basic hygiene and eating, and help with assistive devices such as wheelchairs, spinal braces, orthoses, and special controls or equipment for the home.
• Speech therapy to help patients whose breathing, swallowing or speech is impacted.
• Neuropsychology supports patients’ mental health with a “yes I can” perspective. Neuropsychologists specialize in how brain function relates to neurological and physical function and helps the patient and their family face diagnoses, conditions, and disabilities.

If you would like to know more about spinal cord injury rehabilitation at Good Shepherd, please visit our SCI rehabilitation page or call 1-888-44-REHAB.