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We could fall down stairs, get in a car accident, or trip in the shower, and it would be a disaster and freeze us forever. Once the spinal cord is damaged, the messages that the brain sends to the body are cut off. Such accidents, congenital defects, or illnesses can give rise to spinal cord injuries (SCI). The messages from the brain to the body are sent through the spinal cord. Accidents interrupt or damage this communication line and affect our natural movements. 

So, early medical help and rehabilitation support are the only way to get back on your feet after suffering a SCI. Proper medical care can make an SCI patient walk once more, or there is a risk of remaining stuck in a wheelchair for life. Therefore, it is necessary to recognise spinal cord injury symptoms, such as loss of mobility, numbness, or severe pain. Go through this blog to learn about injuries to the spinal cord.

What is a Spinal Cord Injury?

When the spinal cord is injured, it prevents the orders from the brain from reaching the body. The intensity of the SCI and the site affect the level of interruption.

The injured person feels muscle weakness, loss of sensation, and paralysis. The impact of the injury decides how it affects the person. Minor injuries cause few limitations, while significant injuries lead to permanent changes in movement and sensation.

Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries can result from:

• Road accidents
• Falls, weakness, or diseases
• Injuries from bullets or knives
• Sport injuries

Risk Factors for Getting A Spinal Cord Injury 

Various risk factors may be behind fertile conditions for spinal cord injury:

• Bone density matters. So, people with osteopenia and osteoporosis may get injured easily.
• The presence of cancers or spinal tumours may make a person susceptible to SCI.
• Cysts, or fluid-filled cavities.
• Sometimes, certain conditions or severe infections attack the spinal cord. These create swelling and inflammation in the tissues around the spinal cord and place pressure on it.
• Ischemia can create spinal injuries. 
• Your genes may be the culprit behind spinal disabilities, like neural tube defects in the spinal cord and/or its surrounding tissues, that fail to close properly during the first few weeks of pregnancy. The spinal cord and nerves pass through an opening in the spine, forming a sac.
• A person can develop SCI if they have Guillain-Barré syndrome, multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis, or any other autoimmune condition.
• Genetic illness can result in progressive weakness and stiffness in the lower limbs, a loss of the ability to walk, and damage to nerves in the brain and spinal cord.
• Inherited disorders may cause progressive weakness and stiffness in the legs, making it difficult to walk, and can damage the nerves of the brain and spinal cord.
• If a person suffers electrocution, the electric current passes along or near the spinal cord.
• People who are above 16 and between 30 or people who are 65 or above are prone to dangerous falls, 
• People who take alcohol in excess and do not take safety precautions.

How to Recognise Spinal Cord Injury Symptoms?

You can recognise spinal cord injury from:

• Loss of Movement: SCI affects movements, and it may lead to complete or partial paralysis. 
• Loss of Sensation: The injury may cause a loss of the ability to feel heat, cold, or physical touch, which increases the risk of further injury.
• Reflexes: The patient loses muscle control which affects daily activities. The patient sweats excessively, has a headache, anxiety, high blood pressure, and vision changes.
• Stinging Sensations: People with an SCI have intense burning or stinging sensations. Various reasons can trigger it. Doctors suggest medications and electrical stimulation for the spine and brain, and surgery. 
• Respiratory Problems: A spinal cord injury weakens the respiratory muscles. Therefore, the person needs training in breathing and swallowing.
• Bladder or Bowel Motion Control loss: Spinal cord injuries create incontinence and bowel problems. Patients require a catheter to empty their bladders, and learn new ways to empty their bowels.
• Changes in Blood Pressure and Circulation: A Spinal cord injury creates low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and poor blood circulation. The patient feels dizzy. Thus, the injured person needs to be monitored for blood clotting in the legs. Generally, patients are given medicine to prevent or reduce clotting and special stockings that help increase blood flow in the legs.
• Sexual Dysfunction: Severe injuries create affect sensation, or function. Consulting with a urologist can support sexual functioning.
• Sores: Skin sores caused by irritation and reduced blood flow. You can help prevent pressure sores by changing their position regularly and using assistive devices, such as cushions.
• Mental Issues: SCI patients often have depression. 

Severity & Types of Spinal Cord Injury

Total spinal cord injury.

An injury that damages the spinal cord functions in totality, and the injured person loses motor function and sensation. Outcomes may include:

• Paraplegia happens when the SCI person experiences a loss of movement and sensation in the lower body, often due to the impact of injuries to the lower back area.
• Tetraplegia (quadriplegia) happens when the upper and lower body is damaged due to injuries in the neck area. This results in a loss of movement and sensation 

Partial spinal cord injury

In an incomplete SCI, partial damage does not affect the brain and body connection. So, it is an incomplete spinal injury. The functioning abilities include:

• Partial limb movement or muscle groups.
• Some sensations remain below the injury.
• Rehabilitation may restore functionality.

Spinal Cord Injury and Paralysis

Paralysis may be partial or complete. It has severe complications, many of which are permanent. Also, most studies point out that SCIs cause a partial or total loss of mobility or functionality in body parts below the injury. 

Certain types of paralysis:

• If the area of the spinal cord in the neck is damaged, it leads to paralysis from the neck downward.
• If the back region of the spinal cord is damaged, the functions of the lower body from the chest level downwards are impaired.
• Supervised rehabilitation helps manage paralysis and functional recovery. SCI patients benefit from psychological and adaptive strategies. With time, they can gain independence.

Diagnostic Procedure for Spinal Cord Injury

Examination includes a detailed assessment of the injury area and its impact, which may involve physical examinations, imaging tests, and evaluation.

Initial assessment

The procedure shows the strength, sensation, and reflexes. Tests are generally performed within 72 hours of the injury.

Imaging

Doctors use advanced imaging tools to detect fractures, abnormalities, and spinal cord damage. 

Diagnostic tests include:

• Spine images in cross sections to detect fractures and structural damage from a CT scan.
• Transparent images of the spinal cord nerves, soft tissues, and inflammation images through MRI.
• Spinal misalignments, fractures, or other issues through X-ray images.

Neurological exam

Doctors perform a neurological exam after the swelling subsides to evaluate:

• If the person can feel heat, cold, pain, pressure, touch and position.
• Review muscle strength, limbs and chest movement.
• Involuntary reflexes.

Final diagnosis

Doctors calculate the extent of the injury after a thorough evaluation of the results. Thus, doctors can suggest proper treatment and rehabilitation:

• Grade A indicates total loss of motor and sensory function
• Grade B shows that some sensation remains below the injury level.
• Grade C shows less than half of the muscle movement against gravity is present below the injury level.
• Grade D suggests more than half of the muscles below the injury level can move against gravity.
• Grade E indicates that full neurological function is present.

Treatment & Rehabilitation For Recovery

SCI patients need a combination of physiotherapy, spinal orthosis, and assistive technologies.

How Important is Physiotherapy for Spinal Cord Injury

Physiotherapy during rehabilitation improves functional abilities and minimises the impact of paralysis:

• Strength training helps improve muscle strength.
• Exercises help prevent muscle tightness and keep joints flexible.
• Functional training for transfers, dressing, and movement.
• Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) uses electrical impulses and improves muscle function.
• Water therapy improves movement and reduces pain.

Spinal Orthosis

External devices, such as spinal orthoses or braces, support the spine. They are pivotal in:

• Improving spinal alignment.
• Prevents injury.
• Reduces pain
• Posture
• Muscles support.

Assistive Solutions:

Modern technology can improve spinal injury conditions:

• Electrical Stimulation for simple motions.
• Exoskeletons for walking and standing.
• Control their home functions with control systems.
• Using custom-made digital interfaces to access technology.

Role of Mobility Solutions for Spinal Cord Injury

Top-quality mobility solutions can help people with SCI become more self-dependent. Scoot Mobility offers:

Power Wheelchairs

These can be powered, standard, manual, or sports models with customisable features.

Key benefits include:

• Effortless: Power wheelchairs allow SCI patients to enjoy smooth movement through tight spaces and rough surfaces.
• Increased Range: Users can travel over long distances effortlessly, enjoying social and recreational activities.
• Customisable Features: The adjustable seating positions, specialised controls, and advanced suspension systems suit individual needs.
• Independence: Power Wheelchairs help perform daily tasks and access public resources.
• External Aids: These provide stability for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) disabilities, enabling them to participate in activities more easily.

Orthotic devices include

• Customised Orthoses provide support and comfort.
• Adjustable orthoses are adaptable to an individual's needs.
• Lightweight and breathable materials lessen skin irritation.
• Specialised designs help reduce severity levels.

Standing Frames

Adjustable standing frames help boost bone density, circulation, and respiratory function. Gait trainers help to support the person while standing of walking.They also promote muscle stretching and weight-bearing, and help:

• Improve your bone density by doing weight-bearing exercises and preventing osteoporosis.
• Promote blood flow and reduce cardiovascular issues.
• Improve Respiratory function and lung expansion.
• Maintain muscle length and joint flexibility.
• Promote psychological health by allowing users to stand.

Walkers

They help train individuals in gait, improve mobility, and become independent. 

• Standard Walkers give essential support and stability.
• Folding Walkers are convenient and travel-friendly.
• Specialised Walkers suit limited grip strength.

Backrests

If the family member is an SCI patient and a wheelchair user, they may use a well-adjusted backrest for comfort, posture adjustment, and to enhance their health. Standard wheelchair backrests do not support properly, resulting in discomfort and complications. You can check out the SCOOT range of sophisticated backrest options designed to:

• To give optimal support to promote proper spinal alignment.
• Offer extra comfort and easy movement.
• Reduce the issues related to long-term wheelchair use.

If you're unsure which backrest to choose, you can consult our team and make an informed decision about the available options.

Frequently Asked Questions 

A. Can a spinal cord injury heal completely?

No, SCI cannot be healed totally. However, extensive research and advancements give hope.

B. What are the five signs of a spinal injury?

The symptoms of SCI: 

• No movement.
• No sensation.
• No control over bowel or bladder motions.
• Breathing troubles.
• Lumps in the spinal region.

C. Are spinal cord injuries permanent?

Yes, SCI result in permanent changes to mobility. However, the degree of permanence varies. Rehabilitation helps patients recover.

D. Can Spinal Cord Injuries Heal?

Yes, to some extent, they can heal. if the injuries are incomplete spinal cord injuries (SCI). Patients can take rehabilitation therapy and medical interventions to improve function.

E. What are the best treatments for Spinal Cord Injuries?

The best treatment procedure involves :

• Procedure to stabilise the patient
• Surgery in some cases.
• Physical and occupational therapy.
• Correct Medications.
• Support services.

How do I enhance mobility following a spinal cord injury (SCI)?

After an SCI, you can do physical therapy, use a wheelchair, support your legs with braces, and use other assistive devices during movement, take occupational therapy support for daily activities, and perform adaptive exercises to improve strength and mobility.

Conclusion

After reading this blog, you should understand the importance of the spinal cord in your life. You must also have understood that spinal cord injuries have the potential to make us wheelchair bound for life. Also, if we don't take proper measures and undergo comprehensive rehabilitation on time, we may never be able to perform even the simplest tasks. 

You also know how physiotherapy, orthoses, and advanced technologies help individuals regain function. Moreover, mobility aids such as power wheelchairs, standing devices, and custom-made backrests can help with recovery. Therefore, we cannot compromise on quality equipment that can make us mobile after an SCI.

Ready to explore mobility solutions at Scootmobility?

"Contact us today for a free consultation. "