Spinal cord injury
A spinal cord injury is a condition characterized by lesions or nerve lesions located in the spinal canal. Damage to the spinal cord is usually caused by road accidents, sports or physical abuse.
Spinal cord is a nerve that plays a role in the process of sending signals from the brain throughout the body, and vice versa. If the spinal cord is damaged, it will interfere with some bodily functions, such as loss of motor sensors and motion control.
Management of spinal cord injuries must be done immediately. If not, it will affect the length of the recovery period, worsen the disease and cause complications.
Causes of spinal cord injury
Spinal cord injury can be caused by damage to the tissues, pads, bone or spinal cord itself. Based on the cause, spinal cord injury is divided into 2 types, namely traumatic and non-traumatic.
Traumatic injuries to the spinal cord are injuries caused by spinal movements, fractures or stress due to accidents, such as:
Although non-traumatic spinal cord injuries are caused by other conditions or diseases, such as cancer, arthritis (osteoporosis), osteoporosis, spinal growth abnormalities from birth and inflammation of the spine. spine.
Several factors increase the risk of spinal cord injury, namely:
Two types of symptoms can occur in patients with spinal cord injuries depending on the severity: symptoms are complete (complete) and symptoms are incomplete or localized (incomplete). When a spinal cord injury results in the loss of all sensory abilities and control of movement, this condition is called complete symptoms. However, when nerve damage only interferes with certain sensory abilities and controls movement, this condition is called incomplete symptoms.
Then, symptoms of loss of sensory capacity and control of movement after spinal cord injury are then divided into 3 categories:
Basically, symptoms arising from spinal cord injuries can vary from one person to another, depending on the location of the lesion and the severity of the disease. Some of the most common symptoms in people with spinal cord injuries are:
Diagnosis of spinal cord injury
The diagnostic process begins with questions about the symptoms that are seen, as well as a history of the disease and medical actions taken by the patient. If an accident occurs, the doctor will ask detailed questions about the incident, specifically about the impact of the mechanism suffered by the patient. The doctor will also carry out physical examinations, including nerve tests, for example to check the strength of muscles and the patient's ability to feel stimulation (such as light contact or perforation of small sharp objects such as pins).
After that, the doctor will do several tests to see the condition of the patient's spine. The tests used to diagnose spinal cord injuries are as follows:
Management of spinal cord injuries must be done immediately. If not, it can affect the length of the recovery period and cause complications.
Initial treatment of spinal cord injury was carried out after the accident. The patient will be equipped with a neck brace to prevent spinal movements. The movements that occur in the spine can worsen the existing injury condition. Then, patients will benefit from special support to be taken to the hospital.
Once in the hospital, the doctor will take steps that will discuss the patient's breathing capacity, prevention of shocks, and stability of the spinal cord to avoid further damage. This treatment is also intended to reduce the risk of complications such as urinary or intestinal problems, airway, heart or blood vessel disorders and blood clotting disorders.
In this regard, several attempts by doctors, including:
After the patient's condition is stable and improved, the doctor will continue with the physiotherapy procedure. During the rehabilitation period, the doctor will ask the patient to exercise his muscular strength and restore his ability to move. The doctor will also give medicines to relieve pain, if necessary.
Patients who have not recovered and who have symptoms of paralysis are encouraged to use special support. Electric wheelchair is one of the supporting equipment that can help patients with spinal cord injuries.
The recovery period from spinal cord injury can vary from patient to patient. Recovery usually lasts between 1 week and 6 months. In some cases, the time it takes for a patient to recover may take 1-2 years.
Complications of spinal cord injury
Complications that may arise from spinal cord injuries include:
Prevention of spinal cord injury
As a general rule, spinal cord injuries are caused by accidents. Therefore, the prevention that can be done is as follows:
If you see someone having an accident and potentially injuring their spinal cord, here's what you need to do:
Spinal cord is a nerve that plays a role in the process of sending signals from the brain throughout the body, and vice versa. If the spinal cord is damaged, it will interfere with some bodily functions, such as loss of motor sensors and motion control.
Management of spinal cord injuries must be done immediately. If not, it will affect the length of the recovery period, worsen the disease and cause complications.
Spinal cord injury can be caused by damage to the tissues, pads, bone or spinal cord itself. Based on the cause, spinal cord injury is divided into 2 types, namely traumatic and non-traumatic.
Traumatic injuries to the spinal cord are injuries caused by spinal movements, fractures or stress due to accidents, such as:
- Accident in the road
- Fall when on the move
- Accident during training
- Violence experienced
Although non-traumatic spinal cord injuries are caused by other conditions or diseases, such as cancer, arthritis (osteoporosis), osteoporosis, spinal growth abnormalities from birth and inflammation of the spine. spine.
Several factors increase the risk of spinal cord injury, namely:
- Gender. Spinal cord lesions are more common in men.
- People aged 16 to 30 and 65 years and over are more prone to spinal injuries.
- Suffer from medical conditions related to bones and joints.
- Sports risky activities, such as extreme sports or driving without safety equipment.
- Having a defect or abnormality in bone growth from birth.
Two types of symptoms can occur in patients with spinal cord injuries depending on the severity: symptoms are complete (complete) and symptoms are incomplete or localized (incomplete). When a spinal cord injury results in the loss of all sensory abilities and control of movement, this condition is called complete symptoms. However, when nerve damage only interferes with certain sensory abilities and controls movement, this condition is called incomplete symptoms.
Then, symptoms of loss of sensory capacity and control of movement after spinal cord injury are then divided into 3 categories:
- Quadriplegia or tetraplegia, which is paralysis, occurs in the arms and legs. This paralysis can also affect the chest muscles, making it difficult for the patient to breathe and requires respirator.
- Paraplegia, which is paralysis that can occur in the lower part of the body (both legs).
- Triplegia, which is paralysis that can occur in both legs and arms.
Basically, symptoms arising from spinal cord injuries can vary from one person to another, depending on the location of the lesion and the severity of the disease. Some of the most common symptoms in people with spinal cord injuries are:
- Loss of ability to control movement
- Experiencing impotence
- Headache
- Loss of control when urinating or defecating.
- Having respiratory problems.
- cough
- Passed out.
- Abnormal head position.
- Some parts of the body feel pain or tenderness.
- Loss of touch or senses, such as the inability to feel heat, cold or touch.
Diagnosis of spinal cord injury
The diagnostic process begins with questions about the symptoms that are seen, as well as a history of the disease and medical actions taken by the patient. If an accident occurs, the doctor will ask detailed questions about the incident, specifically about the impact of the mechanism suffered by the patient. The doctor will also carry out physical examinations, including nerve tests, for example to check the strength of muscles and the patient's ability to feel stimulation (such as light contact or perforation of small sharp objects such as pins).
After that, the doctor will do several tests to see the condition of the patient's spine. The tests used to diagnose spinal cord injuries are as follows:
- X-ray image. This imaging is usually done if there is a suspicion of spinal cord injury in a patient who has an accident. X-rays can also detect other problems in the spine, such as tumors or broken bones.
- Scanner. This test is used to show a better x-ray image by showing spinal abnormalities. CT scans are produced from several points of view, which makes it easier for doctors to detect abnormalities.
- MRI This test uses magnetic energy and radio waves to produce images. Working the same way as a CT scan, MRI is used to help doctors observe the condition of the spine.
Management of spinal cord injuries must be done immediately. If not, it can affect the length of the recovery period and cause complications.
Initial treatment of spinal cord injury was carried out after the accident. The patient will be equipped with a neck brace to prevent spinal movements. The movements that occur in the spine can worsen the existing injury condition. Then, patients will benefit from special support to be taken to the hospital.
Once in the hospital, the doctor will take steps that will discuss the patient's breathing capacity, prevention of shocks, and stability of the spinal cord to avoid further damage. This treatment is also intended to reduce the risk of complications such as urinary or intestinal problems, airway, heart or blood vessel disorders and blood clotting disorders.
In this regard, several attempts by doctors, including:
- Give medicine. Methylprednisolone injections are given to treat acute spinal cord lesions. However, because it has side effects, the use of this drug must be under full medical supervision.
- Surgery Surgery involves removing bone fragments, foreign objects or cracks from the spine in the body after an accident. Surgery is also needed to prevent and improve spinal deformity and position.
After the patient's condition is stable and improved, the doctor will continue with the physiotherapy procedure. During the rehabilitation period, the doctor will ask the patient to exercise his muscular strength and restore his ability to move. The doctor will also give medicines to relieve pain, if necessary.
Patients who have not recovered and who have symptoms of paralysis are encouraged to use special support. Electric wheelchair is one of the supporting equipment that can help patients with spinal cord injuries.
The recovery period from spinal cord injury can vary from patient to patient. Recovery usually lasts between 1 week and 6 months. In some cases, the time it takes for a patient to recover may take 1-2 years.
Complications of spinal cord injury
Complications that may arise from spinal cord injuries include:
- Bowel obstruction
- Urinary disorders and urinary tract infections
- Pneumonia or lung infection
- Blood clots
- Tense muscles
- Pain that never goes away
Prevention of spinal cord injury
As a general rule, spinal cord injuries are caused by accidents. Therefore, the prevention that can be done is as follows:
- Drive carefully and respect the signs.
- Use safety equipment when driving or exercising.
- When doing outdoor activities, such as diving or climbing, consult with risks and how to reduce them with experienced instructors.
- Be careful in your activities by paying attention to the surrounding environment, especially in the bathroom.
If you see someone having an accident and potentially injuring their spinal cord, here's what you need to do:
- Avoid moving your body because this can make the situation worse.
- Contact the hospital immediately.
- Put a towel or thick cloth on both sides of the neck so that the neck does not move. If you are still conscious, tell the victim not to move.
- Perform first aid, such as stopping the bleeding that occurs by dressing and pressing the wound with a clean cloth.
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