CONNECT MIOT
Spinal Injuries
What is spinal Cord Injury?
Spinal injuries are caused by either acceleration or deceleration injuries to the spine. The cord injuries can occur anywhere from the cervical through thoracic and the lumbar spine. Basically the cord injuries can be divided into two- complete and incomplete transection of the cord. In complete transection there is total loss of function below the lewer of injury, in incomplete transection, there is only partial loss of function.
When & How to Seek Medical Care
Following trauma, seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Extreme pain or pressure in the neck, head or back
- Tingling or loss of sensation in the hand, fingers, feet or toes
- Partial or complete loss of control over any part of the body
- Urinary or bowel urgency, incontinence or retention
- Abnormal band-like sensations in the thorax (pain, pressure)
- Impaired breathing after injury
- Unusual lumps on the head or spine
Outcome following spinal cord injury
Expected functional outcomes following an incomplete SCI An incomplete SCI is an injury involving some preservation of motor and/or sensory function in the lowest sacral segment of the spinal cord, indicating that there is some preservation of motor and/or sensory function below the level of the lesion. The functional expectations following an incomplete SCI are highly dependent upon the degree of preserved function and a multitude of individualised factors. Overall, it is far more complex to determine the expected functional outcome of an individual with an acute incomplete SCI. However with rehabilitation , there can be a drastic improvement in the motor function.