The Physical Effects Of Spinal Cord Injuries?

Answer 1

Definition

The spinal cord contains the nerves that carry messages between your brain and body. The cord passes through your neck and back. A spinal cord injuryis very serious because it can cause loss of movement (paralysis) below the site of the injury.

Alternative Names

Neck injury

Considerations

When someone has a spinal injury, additional movement may cause further damage to the nerves in the cord and can sometimes mean the difference between life and death.

If you think someone could possibly have a spinal injury, do not move the injured person even a little bit, unless it is absolutely necessary (for example, if you need to get someone out of a burning car).

If you are not sure if a person has a spinal injury, assume that he or she does have one.

Causes

• Bullet or stab wound
• Direct trauma to the face, neck, head, chest, or back (for example, a car accident)
• Diving accident
• Electric shock
• Extreme twisting of the middle of the body
• Landing on the head during a sports injury
• Fall from a great height

Symptoms

• Head held in unusual position
• Numbness or tingling that spreads down an arm or leg
• Weakness
• Difficulty walking
• Paralysis (loss of movement) of arms or legs
• No bladder or bowel control
• Shock (pale, clammy skin; bluish lips and fingernails; acting dazed or semiconscious)
• Lack of alertness (unconsciousness)
• Stiff neck, headache, or neck pain

First Aid

The main goal is to keep the person immobile and safe until medical help arrives.

1. You or someone else should call 911.
2. Hold the person's head and neck in the position in which they were found. DO NOT attempt to reposition the neck. Do not allow the neck to bend or twist.
3. Do not allow the person to get up and walk unassisted.

IF THE PERSON IS UNRESPONSIVE

1. Check the person's breathing and circulation. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR.
2. DO NOT tilt the head back when attempting to open the airway. Instead, place your fingers on the jaw on each side of the head. Lift the jaw forward.

IF YOU NEED TO ROLL THE PERSON

Do not roll the person over unless the person is vomiting or choking on blood, or you need to check for breathing.

1. Two people are needed.
2. One person should be located at the person's head; the other at the person's side.
3. Keep the person's head, neck, and back in line with each other while you roll him or her onto one side.

Do Not

• DO NOT bend, twist, or lift the person's head or body.
• DO NOT attempt to move the person before medical help arrives unless it is absolutely necessary.
• DO NOT remove a helmet if a spinal injury is suspected.

Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if

Call you local emergency number (such as 911) if there has been any injury that affects the neck or spinal cord. Keep the person absolutely still. Unless there is urgent danger, keep the person in the position where found.

Prevention

• Wear seat belts.
• Avoid drinking alcohol and driving.
• Avoid diving into pools, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water, particularly if you cannot determine the depth of the water or if the water is not clear.
• Avoid motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.
• Avoid tackling or diving into a person with your head.

References

Hockberger RS, Kaji AH, Newton EJ. Spinal injuries. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2006:chap 40.

Hoyt DB, Coimbra R, Acosta J. Management of acute trauma. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 20.

DeLee JC, Drez, Jr., D, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2003:798,837.

Answer 2

Spinal cord injury symptoms widely vary depending on the particular area of the injury. Common symptoms of spinal cord injuries include breathing difficulties, muscle spasms and paralysis. Additionally, spinal cord injury patients may experience decreased sensations and the ability to fully participate in sexual activities. While some activities, medications and procedures may reverse the effects of spinal cord injuries, the results of these treatments cannot be guaranteed.

Paralysis

Paralysis is a common effect of spinal cord injuries. Usually, patients with paralysis due to a spine injury will be paralyzed below the point of injury. Patients with lower spine injuries are usually diagnosed with paraplegia, meaning the paralysis is isolated to their lower body, while those with neck injuries are typically diagnosed with quadriplegia, which means their entire body is paralyzed. Although the majority of paralysis cases are permanent, surgery, physical therapy and other intensive treatments can restore partial mobility.

Breathing Difficulties

Breathing difficulties are another common effect of spinal injuries. Besides trouble breathing, spinal injury patients may experience lung functioning problems related to coughing or clearing the lungs. Patients with these symptoms usually require the use of a respirator to get an adequate supply of oxygen.

Muscle Spasms

Spinal injury effects also include muscle spasms. Most spasms are considered to be minor during the initial stages of injury; however, the spasms' intensity tends to increase as the patient's muscle tone diminishes. Through aggressive physical therapy, electrical stimulation therapy and prescription medication, muscle spasms are sometimes preventable.

Sensation Losses

Sensations losses typically occur in parts of the body that are directly effected by paralysis. Those who suffer from sensation losses are unable to feel not only cold or hot temperatures but also the sense of touch. This spinal cord injury symptom can be dangerous as the patient is unable to feel cuts, injuries and extreme temperatures that may lead to frostbite.

Participation in Sexual Activities

One other effect of spinal cord injuries is the inability to fully participate in sexual activities. Patients many times experience a decrease in sexual-related sensitivity. However, a small number of patients may gain a partial restoration of feeling when taking certain medications.

Answer 3

Definition

The spinal cord contains the nerves that carry messages between your brain and body. The cord passes through your neck and back. A spinal cord injuryis very serious because it can cause loss of movement (paralysis) below the site of the injury.

Alternative Names

Neck injury

Causes

A spinal cord injury may be caused by:

• Bullet or stab wound
• Traumatic injury to the face, neck, head, chest, or back (for example, a car accident)
• Diving accident
• Electric shock
• Extreme twisting of the middle of the body
• Landing on the head during a sports injury
• Fall from a great height

Symptoms

Symptoms of a spinal cord injury may include:

• Head that is in an unusual position
• Numbness or tingling that spreads down an arm or leg
• Weakness
• Difficulty walking
• Paralysis (loss of movement) of arms or legs
• No bladder or bowel control
• Shock (pale, clammy skin; bluish lips and fingernails; acting dazed or semiconscious)
• Lack of alertness (unconsciousness)
• Stiff neck, headache, or neck pain

First Aid

Never move anyone who you think may have a spinal injury, unless it is absolutely necessary. For example, if you need to get the person out of a burning car.)

Keep the person absolutely still and safe until medical help arrives.

• Call the local emergency number, such as 911.
• Hold the person's head and neck in the position in which they were found. DO NOT try to straighten the neck. Do not allow the neck to bend or twist.
• Do not allow the person to get up and walk unassisted.

If the person is not alert or responding to you:

• Check the person's breathing and circulation. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR.
• DO NOT tilt the head back when doing CPR. Instead, place your fingers on the jaw on each side of the head. Lift the jaw forward.

Do not roll the person over unless the person is vomiting or choking on blood, or you need to check for breathing. If you need to roll the person over:

• Two people are needed.
• One person should be located at the person's head; the other at the person's side.
• Keep the person's head, neck, and back in line with each other while you roll him or her onto one side.

Do Not

• DO NOT bend, twist, or lift the person's head or body.
• DO NOT attempt to move the person before medical help arrives unless it is absolutely necessary.
• DO NOT remove a helmet if a spinal injury is suspected.

Call immediately for emergency medical assistance if

Call you local emergency number (such as 911) if you think someone has a spinal cord injury. DO NOT move the person unless there is urgent danger.

Prevention

The following may lower your risk of spinal injury:

• Wear seat belts.
• Do not drink and drive.
• Do not dive into pools, lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water, particularly if you cannot determine the depth of the water or if the water is not clear.
• Do not tackle or dive into a person with your head.

References

Hockberger RS, Kaji AH, Newton E. Spinal injuries. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 40.

Torg JS. Cervical Spine Injuries: 1. Cervical Spine Injuries in the Adult. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 16, section A.

Pizzutillo PD, Herman MJ. Cervical Spine Injuries: 2. Cervical Spine Injuries in the Child. In: DeLee JC, Drez D Jr, Miller MD, eds. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2009:chap 16, section A.

Reviewed By

Review Date: 05/02/2011

Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.