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Home » Consumer Information » Spinal Cord Injuries

Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

A half a century ago, there was not much hope for spinal cord injury victims because it was an era where little treatment was available. Nowadays, the medical community has still not discovered a way to reverse spinal cord damage. However, injuries tend to be less severe, and scientific breakthroughs have helped to enhance the quality of recovery and reduce patients' hospital stays. New forms of treatment are in the works such as prostheses and medicine that could potentially cause nerve cells to regenerate or improve the functionality of damaged nerves.

While we await arrival of these "miracle" treatments, current treatment concentrates on the prevention of further injury and getting spinal cord injury victims back to active and fruitful lifestyles while toiling within the confines of their newfound disability. In order to return to a somewhat normal life, spinal cord injury patients must receive immediate emergency assistance and active treatment.

Emergency Care

Prompt medical attention is crucial to lessening the long-term effects of a traumatic neck injury, so treatment for a spinal cord injury usually doesn't wait until arrival at the hospital. Paramedics will address three urgent issues right at the scene:

  • Supplying the patient with oxygen if they cannot breathe on their own
  • Preventing the patient from entering a state of shock
  • Restricting the patient's neck from any movement to avoid further damage

Emergency workers often immobilize the spine as carefully and rapidly as possible with a stiff neck collar and firm carrying board that is used to transport the patient to the emergency room.

Upon arrival in the ER, physicians concentrate on keeping the patient's blood pressure and breathing at proper levels while continuing to keep the neck stable. They also look to thwart any complications like retention of bodily waste, breathing or circulation problems, and the onset of blood clots in the arms and legs. The hospital staff may also administer a sedative to prevent the patient from moving during testing for spinal cord injury.

If the analysis reveals a spinal cord injury, the patient will be turned over to the intensive care unit. If the hospital does not have the necessary resources, they may even send the patient to a regional spine injury facility with a team of neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, spinal cord medicine experts, psychologists, nurses, therapists, and social workers with a background in spinal cord injury.

Initial stages of treatment

In the beginning period of paraplegia or quadriplegia, your physician will provide treatment for the injury or illness that is responsible for your loss of mobility. This may include:

  • Medicine -- A corticosteroid known as methylprednisolone, or Medrol, can reduce the effects of acute spinal cord injury if the patient receives a dose less than eight hours after the injury. Methylprednisolone targets nerve cell damage and swelling around the injury site.
  • Immobilization -- Traction may be required to steady the spine and position it for proper healing. In severe instances, traction may be achieved with metal braces planted in the patient's skull that are connected to weights or a body harness. In cases that are not as serious, a stiff neck collar may suffice.
  • Surgery -- An immediate operation may be needed to discard bone chips, foreign objects, herniated disks, or fractured vertebrae that are putting unwanted pressure on the spinal cord. A surgical procedure may also be required to stabilitate the spine to avoid future pain or malformation. Medical professionals often dispute whether one time is better than another to operate. Some doctors think immediate surgery is almost always the best route, while other surgeons believe an operative attempt after several days of waiting is in the patient's best interest. There is no conclusive evidence that proves whether one method is better than the other.

Active care

Once the patient is in stable condition, physicians focus on complications that could result from immobilization like deconditioning, muscle contractures, bedsores, urinary tract infection, and blood clots. Preliminary treatment normally involves range-of-motion workouts for paralyzed extremities, assistance with excretory functions, application of lotion to dry or irritated skin, and the use of bed coverings gentle on the skin and flotation mattresses. It is often vital for a nurse or staff member to adjust the patient's position frequently to prevent bed sores if they are unable to move themselves.