Shown here is the nervous system, containing the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves.
A spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to any part of the spinal cord, the bundle of nerves that runs from the brain down the vertebral column, or disease.
"Spinal cord injury is basically any trauma to thespinal cordthat interrupts the flow of [electrical] information from the brain to wherever the nerves are going," said Dr. Salvatore Insinga,chief of neurosurgery at Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, New York.
The injury can prevent motor signals from reaching the muscles, resulting in paralysis, or sensory information from reaching the brain. "Its a two-way conduit," Insinga told Live Science.
The occurrence of spinal cord injury among survivors is about 40 cases per million in the United States, or about 12,000 new cases per year, according to a 2013 report by the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center (NSCISC). An estimated 273,000 people are living with spinal cord injury in the United States, in a range from 238,000 to 332,000.
About 80 percent of spinal cord injuries reported to the national database happen in men. Nearly half of all injuries occur in young people between the ages of 16 and 30, but the average age of injury has steadily increased since the 1970s, to 42.6 years since 2010.
Motor vehicle accidents account for 36.6 percent of spinal cord injuries since 2010, followed by falls (28.5 percent), violence (14.3 percent), sports (9.2 percent), and other or unknown causes (11.4 percent), according to the NSCISC.
SCI usually starts with a sudden blow to the spine that fractures or dislocates the vertebrae, the discs of bone in the spine. The fragments of bone, discs or ligaments bruise or tear the spinal cord, crushing the nerves, according to the National Institutes of Health. During the weeks following the injury, bleeding, swelling, inflammation and fluid buildup in or near the spinal cord often cause further damage.
Diseases such as arthritis, cancer, inflammation, infections or degeneration of spinal discs can also result in a spinal cord injury, according to the NIH. Depending on the severity of the injury, the victim may make a full recovery or become completely paralyzed.
Spinal cord injuries vary in their location and severity. The "level" of injury refers to the lowest part of the spinal cord with normal function. Higher-level injuries affect the arms, hands, trunk, legs and pelvic organs, whereas lower-level injuries affect only the legs, pelvic organs, and trunk, according to the NIH. These can result in paralysis of all four limbs (known as quadriplegia or tetraplegia), or paralysis of the lower limbs (known as paraplegia).
The severity of the injury is classified as either complete, in which nearly all movement and sensation below the level of the injury is lost, or incomplete, in which some residual movement and sensation remains.
Symptoms of spinal cord injury include: loss of movement; loss of sensation (sense of touch, heat or cold); loss of bowel or bladder control; exaggerated reflexes or spasms; changes in sexual function or sensitivity; pain or stinging due to nerve damage; and difficulty breathing, coughing, or clearing the throat.
Emergency symptoms of an injury include severe pain or pressure in the neck, head or back; weakness, lack of coordination or paralysis of part of the body; numbness, tingling or loss of feeling in the hands and feet; loss of bladder or bowel control; difficulty walking or balancing; difficulty breathing after the injury; or a twisted neck or back. People with these symptoms should seek immediate medical attention.
Find out about the workings of the brain and nerves.
Treatment options for spinal cord injury are limited, but rehabilitation and experimental technologies have been found to help maintain or improve remaining nerve function in some people.
Immediately after an accident, emergency responders immobilize the spine using a stiff neck collar and carrying board in order to transport the patient.
Maintaining blood pressure is critically important after an injury, Insinga said, because "the spinal cord heals better when it has blood flow." A drop in blood pressure can be catastrophic, because it can extend the damage beyond where it started, he said.
Other emergency treatment involves maintaining breathing ability, preventing shock, keeping the neck immobilized, and preventing complications such as blood clots.
In some patients, steroid medications, such as methylprednisolone (Medrol), have been found to cause mild improvement, if taken within eight hours of injury. However, high doses of steroids can have negative side effects such as bone loss or low blood sugar.
Doctors may use traction (often by attaching metal braces and weights to the skull to prevent it moving) to stabilize the spine and/or realign it. Surgery may be needed to remove fragments of bone, herniated discs, fractured vertebrae or foreign objects, or to stabilize the spine to minimize pain or future deformity.
"If a piece of bone or spinal cord is under pressure, relief of that pressure is of utmost importance," Insinga said.
After initial treatment, the patient will typically begin a program of rehab.
A team of therapists and specialists work with patients during their early stages of recovery. Physical therapists focus on having the patient maintain and strengthen existing muscle function, while occupational therapists, rehab psychologists and others help the patient learn basic tasks and new skills.
Moderntechnology for paralysiscan provide some independence to individuals living with spinal cord injury. Assistive equipment includes wheelchairs, computer adaptations, electronic aids, robotic gait training and electrical stimulation.
An experimental technique known asepidural spine stimulationhas helped a small number of patients regain the ability to flex their toes and ankles in a pilot study.
Roboticexoskeletonshave been used in studies for rehabilitation, allowing some patients to sit or stand upright and take a few steps, with assistance. Researchers are also developing neural prostheses, known as brain-computer interfaces. Electrodes worn on the scalp or implanted in the brain record electrical signals from neurons and translate them into control of a computer or prosthetic limb.
These technologies are still in their early stages, however, and not approved for widespread use.
Follow Tanya Lewis on Twitter and Google+.Follow us @livescience, Facebook & Google+.
View post:
Spinal Cord Injury: Levels, Symptoms & Treatment
- Hungarian Spinal Cord Injury Patient - Stem Cell Treatment Experience - May 7th, 2011 [May 7th, 2011]
- Stem cell treatment for Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)-Osama - May 8th, 2011 [May 8th, 2011]
- Spinal Cord Injury Patient after Stem Cell Treatment - Juan Carlos Murillo - May 10th, 2011 [May 10th, 2011]
- Spinal Cord Injury patient 10 years after injury after Stem Cell Treatment - May 10th, 2011 [May 10th, 2011]
- Rap Toward a Cure for Spinal Cord Injury - May 11th, 2011 [May 11th, 2011]
- Christopher "Kit" Bond - Spinal Cord Injury Stem Cell Patient - May 20th, 2011 [May 20th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatment - Spinal Cord Injury (2) - May 21st, 2011 [May 21st, 2011]
- Spinal Cord Injury-After Treatment, Pt was completely paralyzed (2) - May 22nd, 2011 [May 22nd, 2011]
- Spinal Cord Injury-After Treatment, Pt was completely paralyzed (1) - May 23rd, 2011 [May 23rd, 2011]
- Dogs recover following new treatment for spinal cord injury - June 2nd, 2011 [June 2nd, 2011]
- Spinal Cord Injury Rehabiliation Success Story - June 3rd, 2011 [June 3rd, 2011]
- Stem Cells for Spinal Cord Injury: Community Outreach San Diego 2011 - Trish Stressman - June 7th, 2011 [June 7th, 2011]
- Stroke Client Gains Strength and Mobility in North Palm Beach Florida - June 9th, 2011 [June 9th, 2011]
- Spinal Cord Injury Chicago Rehabilitation Lokomat - June 10th, 2011 [June 10th, 2011]
- Spinal Cord Injury Treatment With Stem Cells - June 11th, 2011 [June 11th, 2011]
- Spinal Cord Injury Patient after Stem Cell Treatment - Wesley Hixen - June 12th, 2011 [June 12th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury - Injured Airline Pilot Flies Again - June 13th, 2011 [June 13th, 2011]
- David Chen: How would stem-cell therapies work in the treatment of spinal cord injuries? - June 17th, 2011 [June 17th, 2011]
- William Rader MD - Paralyzed Spinal Cord Injury Patient Walks Again - June 29th, 2011 [June 29th, 2011]
- The Spinal Cord Injury Treatment Team - July 4th, 2011 [July 4th, 2011]
- Introduction to the Bioness H200 Hand Rehabilitation System - July 14th, 2011 [July 14th, 2011]
- Organ repair using own stem cells -- brain, heart - Future Health keynote speaker - July 15th, 2011 [July 15th, 2011]
- 2011 Shriners Ride for Kids, Salt Lake City Utah. - July 17th, 2011 [July 17th, 2011]
- Degenerative Disc Disease: C5-C6 c6-C7 Treatment - July 18th, 2011 [July 18th, 2011]
- Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan's 60 Anniversary TV Commercial - July 18th, 2011 [July 18th, 2011]
- California Spinal Cord Injury Attorney: Obtaining damages for lifetime care. - July 19th, 2011 [July 19th, 2011]
- Physical and Mental Adjustments After a Spinal Cord Injury - July 19th, 2011 [July 19th, 2011]
- Comprehensive Inpatient Rehabilitation - July 28th, 2011 [July 28th, 2011]
- SCI Treatment Center at the Claremont Club - July 30th, 2011 [July 30th, 2011]
- Spinal Cord Inury Patient at XCell-Center- M. Hasan - August 5th, 2011 [August 5th, 2011]
- Spinal Cord Inury Patient at XCell-Center- K. Potts - August 6th, 2011 [August 6th, 2011]
- Magee Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation and Toyota 100 Cars for Good - August 13th, 2011 [August 13th, 2011]
- SCI_Celine_French_ifting_her_arms.wmv - September 1st, 2011 [September 1st, 2011]
- New Treatment May Help Paralyzed Patients Move Again By Dr.Zaghloul ahmed - September 1st, 2011 [September 1st, 2011]
- Claire Marsh - Spinal Cord Injury Part One - September 6th, 2011 [September 6th, 2011]
- Coping with spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries - September 10th, 2011 [September 10th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatment - Spinal Cord Injury (3) - September 15th, 2011 [September 15th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatment - Spinal Cord Injury (1) - September 20th, 2011 [September 20th, 2011]
- Stem cell treatment by Adiva Health Care India after Spinal Cord Injury - September 22nd, 2011 [September 22nd, 2011]
- Spinal Cord Injury Documentary: You Will Never Walk Again, Part 1 - September 24th, 2011 [September 24th, 2011]
- Claire Marsh Returns - Spinal Cord Injury Patient - September 25th, 2011 [September 25th, 2011]
- Spinal Cord Injury: Raising awareness about research and treatment for spinal cord injury - September 26th, 2011 [September 26th, 2011]
- Walking after Spinal Cord injury and Stem Cells - September 27th, 2011 [September 27th, 2011]
- New Treatments for Spinal Cord Injuries - October 10th, 2011 [October 10th, 2011]
- Claire Marsh - Spinal Cord Injury Part Two - Video - October 18th, 2011 [October 18th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatment for Spinal Cord Injury - Video - November 2nd, 2011 [November 2nd, 2011]
- Stem Cells - Treatment for Spinal Cord Injury - Video - November 2nd, 2011 [November 2nd, 2011]
- (Film Trailer) - The Spinal Cord Journey: Stem Cell Therapy Stories of Recovery - Video - November 27th, 2011 [November 27th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Treatment for T-6 Spinal Cord Injury - Video - December 7th, 2011 [December 7th, 2011]
- What is Project Walk Atlanta - Video - December 13th, 2011 [December 13th, 2011]
- Stem Cells Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries, Successfully Results, Stem Therapy - Video - December 28th, 2011 [December 28th, 2011]
- Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury, India Mumbai - Video - January 6th, 2012 [January 6th, 2012]
- "April Crave", "Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery" - Video - January 10th, 2012 [January 10th, 2012]
- "Lori Hammond", "Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery" - Video - January 23rd, 2012 [January 23rd, 2012]
- "Chad C.""spinal cord Injury treatment" "spinal cord injury" "spinal cord injury recovery" - Video - January 23rd, 2012 [January 23rd, 2012]
- "Hugo Rodovalho", "Client Spotlight Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery" - Video - January 27th, 2012 [January 27th, 2012]
- "Cecilia V.", "Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery" - Video - January 27th, 2012 [January 27th, 2012]
- "Roy R.", "Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery" - Video - January 27th, 2012 [January 27th, 2012]
- "Angela", "Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery" - Video - January 27th, 2012 [January 27th, 2012]
- "Joey's Story", "Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery" - Video - January 27th, 2012 [January 27th, 2012]
- "Spinal Cord Injury", "A Story Of One" - Video - January 27th, 2012 [January 27th, 2012]
- Spinal Cord Injuries - The Healing Center Project! - Video - January 28th, 2012 [January 28th, 2012]
- "Crystal H.", "Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery" - Video - February 3rd, 2012 [February 3rd, 2012]
- "Dave D.", "Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery" - Video - February 5th, 2012 [February 5th, 2012]
- "Brook", "Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery" - Video - February 5th, 2012 [February 5th, 2012]
- "Ashley Vargas", "Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery" - Video - February 6th, 2012 [February 6th, 2012]
- "Nathan Bayer", "Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery" - Video - February 8th, 2012 [February 8th, 2012]
- "Annette Ross", "Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery" - Video - February 8th, 2012 [February 8th, 2012]
- "Joe Guintu", "Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery" - Video - February 8th, 2012 [February 8th, 2012]
- "Trevor Comeau,"Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery" - Video - February 9th, 2012 [February 9th, 2012]
- "Kyle Eade, "Project Walk Spinal Cord Injury Recovery" - Video - February 11th, 2012 [February 11th, 2012]
- Velomedix Receives IDE Approval to Evaluate the Use of Rapid Therapeutic Hypothermia in the Management of AMI Patients - February 14th, 2012 [February 14th, 2012]
- Neuralstem Announces Closing of $5.2-Million Registered Direct Offering - February 14th, 2012 [February 14th, 2012]
- Chamber May Open Window for Treating Spine - February 15th, 2012 [February 15th, 2012]
- InVivo Therapeutics’ CEO Frank Reynolds Scheduled to Appear on Fox News First and San Antonio Living - February 17th, 2012 [February 17th, 2012]
- High doses of 'load' slows loss of bone in spinal cord injury - February 17th, 2012 [February 17th, 2012]
- InVivo Therapeutics Announces Pricing of Public Offering of Common Stock - February 17th, 2012 [February 17th, 2012]
- High Doses of Load Slows Bone Loss in Spinal Cord Injury - February 21st, 2012 [February 21st, 2012]
- InVivo Therapeutics Announces Full Exercise of Over-Allotment Option - February 22nd, 2012 [February 22nd, 2012]
- InVivo Therapeutics Announces Net $18.1M In Offering - February 22nd, 2012 [February 22nd, 2012]