What is Acute Spinal Cord Injury?
Acute spinal cord injuries occur when the spinal cord is injured. The spinal cord is a long, thin structure that runs from the base of your skull to your lower back. It controls movement and sensation in your body below the waist. Injuries to the spinal cord can cause serious disability or death.
Causes of Acute Spinal Cord Injury?
There are many possible causes of acute spinal cord injury, and the precise mechanism of injury is often difficult to determine. In general, however, most cases of SCI result from a mechanical force that is too strong for the individual’s body to resist. This can occur when the spinal cord is crushed or torn by movement or a violent impact, such as a car crash. Other factors that can contribute to SCI include disease or infection, genetic syndromes, and injuries sustained during childbirth or other labor-related events.
Symptoms of Acute Spinal Cord Injury?
The first thing that many people notice after an acute spinal cord injury is the lack of feeling below the injury. This can be a shock to those who are used to being able to feel their feet and toes, and may not be able to feel anything below the level of the injury. The loss of feeling may also make it difficult to know when something is wrong with your body.
If you experience any of the following symptoms, it is important to seek medical attention: pain in your back or chest, difficulty breathing, changes in your blood pressure, numbness or tingling in your legs or feet, or paralysis below the level of the injury. If you experience any of these symptoms, even if they are mild, you should call 911 and go to the hospital as soon as possible.
Treatment for Acute Spinal Cord Injury?
Treatment for acute spinal cord injury can vary depending on the severity of the injury. In most cases, immediate care is required to prevent further damage to the spinal cord. The most common treatment for acute spinal cord injury is intensive care. This includes providing medical and surgical support to the patient as well as monitoring their condition.
If the patient has a serious and irreversible spinal cord injury, they may require a life-saving operation to treat their injuries. In these cases, the patient will be placed into a coma and the focus will be on restoring function to their a limbs.
Rehabilitation for Acute Spinal Cord Injury?
cute spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious condition caused by an accident or trauma to the spinal cord. SCI can cause a wide range of symptoms, from complete paralysis below the level of the injury to milder impairments that may require minimal support. Recovery from SCI is a long and difficult process, and rehabilitation is key to successful rehabilitation. Rehabilitation for SCI starts immediately after the injury and includes both physical and occupational therapy. Physical therapy focuses on improving function below the level of the injury while occupational therapy addresses activities of daily living. There is no single approach that is best for all SCI patients, and different patients will require different levels of care. However, effective rehabilitation is essential for any SCI patient to achieve maximum potential in their recovery.
