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Spinal Cord Injury
Spine or Spinal Cord Injury?A person can “break their neck” or “break their back” without damaging the spinal cord.* Broken Back The spinal cord can also be damaged without the spine suffering any vertebral fractures or breaks. The majority of spinal cord injuries do not involve the severing of the spinal cord. Partial cord injuries may produce uneven effects on bodily functions and systems. The spinal cord is a structure that will not normally regenerate from a significant injury. Classification of Spinal Cord Injuries* Complete Spinal Cord Injuries indicate the utter loss of all function below the level of the injury. This is by far the most serious type of cord trauma and definitely influences overall patient functionality to a huge extent.* Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries indicate that some function remains below the location of the injury. This type of condition is often the result of partial damage to the spinal cord. This type of injury can be relatively minor or might be devastating to endure. * Tetraplegia, formerly called Quadriplegia, is the loss of all nervous function below the cervical level of injury. All four limbs will be affected, along with many autonomic functions. Affected patients are called Tetraplegic or Quadriplegic. * Paraplegia is the condition describing a cord injury in the mid or lower back regions (Thoracic, Lumbar, Sacral regions). The lower limbs are affected, along with possible autonomic processes. Affected individuals are called Paraplegic. Causes of Spinal Cord InjuryDamage to the spinal cord can occur when the stability and protection of the spine is compromised. Massive trauma is usually the cause of severe cord injuries. Car accidents, falls, construction accidents, gun shots and sports injuries are the most common causes of spinal cord trauma.Disease processes and congenital conditions can also cause damage to the spinal cord. Recommendation on Spinal Cord InjuryThe spinal cord is a delicate and precious structure. Years ago, an injury to the cord meant a reduced lifespan or even imminent death. Modern medicine has made great advances in the stabilization of cord injuries and the follow up care used to maintain the general health of the patient. Products designed to assist cord injury patients have increased in their mobility and functionality. Access for people with special needs is now the rule, rather than the exception. There is no reason why most cord injury patients can not live a healthy and rewarding life.Unfortunately, medicine is still in the dark ages when it comes to curing a spinal cord injury. Most miraculous cures turn out to be actual miracles. Medicine is rarely responsible for these few cases of recovery. Research continues and holds many promising ideas for the future. Stem cell research might just be the break science has needed in the war against spinal cord injuries. Unfortunately, this research is being limited on the basis of moral and religious doctrine. The patients with spinal cord injuries have no other choice but to wait. One step forward…two steps back… YOUR BACK PAIN STORY Share your own back pain story with the world by taking part in my interactive forum. Speak out now and make a difference! Please subscribe to my FREE E-Zine, The Cure Back Pain Forever Newsletter. Spinal Cord Injury to Back Pain Home 8/29/06 Revised 8/22/08
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