Spinal Cord Injuries / Spinal Trauma

Any sudden blow or trauma to the vertebrae (backbone) causes vertebrae fracture or damage to surrounding tissue. These fractured or broken pieces of bone then injure the spinal cord. Injury to the spinal cord can range from partial to complete damage to the spinal cord.

Spinal cord injuries only occur when there is an injury to the spinal cord. Any other injury to the back cant is called spinal cord injury.

The patient can get spinal cord surgeries when:

• Fall from height
• Roadside accidents
• Injury playing sports like football or rugby
• Gunshot injuries
• Injury to the spinal cord during spine surgeries

Spinal cord injuries can occur at

• Cervical Region or Neck Area- injuries in this area are most severe and, depending on the severity of the damage, may result in complete paralysis of the body below the level of injury or neck. Depending on the level of injury, it may result in a variety of other problems like breathing problems, shock, autonomic dysfunction
• Thoracic Region or Backbone behind Rib Cage- injury at this level, depending on severity, may result in paralysis of the body below the level of injury with bladder and bowel involvement
• Lumbar Region or Low Back- injury at this level, depending on severity, may result in paralysis of the body below the level of injury; usually, lower limbs and bladder bowel function can be involved.

Spinal cord injuries are serious, so the patient must immediately consult a surgeon.

Symptoms and problems of spinal cord injuries depend on the level of injury and severity of the injury. Since it may present in a variety of forms common one is

• Decreased sensation or sensory loss
• Loss of movement
• Loss of bladder and bowel function
• Pain in the back at injury
• Loss of sexual function
• Pressure sores or ulcers
• Respiratory and circulatory problems
• Autonomic dysreflexia

Thorough clinical examination by the surgeon in emergency and treating doctor and again after a few days, x-rays, MRI, ct scan, nerve conduction studies.

The treatment for spinal cord injuries include:

• Immediate immobilization
• Maintain breathing and circulation
• Steroids treatment immediately after injury
• Supportive care  
• Surgical stabilization, as the condition indicates
• Rehabilitation

Treatment of spinal cord injuries is one of the challenging aspects. Treatment should be started as fast as possible. The patient should be immediately transferred to a center with facilities for treating spinal cord injuries. Treatment in consultation with a surgeon should be followed.

Surgical treatment involves

• Decompression - removing pressure from the spine
• Fusion Of Vertebral Bones with help of Screws and Rods or Plates - to stabilize the spine and realign it to its normal shape

Whether it is a complete or incomplete injury to the spinal cord, surgery is required as it helps in stabilization and early rehabilitation. Reduces pressure from the spinal cord and, in an incomplete injury, may result in better recovery. Final decision of when, why and how surgery has to be done has to be taken in consultation with the surgeon.

Complete spinal cord injuries are permanent, and there is no treatment as of now. Still, incomplete spinal cord injuries can show improvement with time so that patients may do daily activities. But the final result depends on the injury's severity, age, treatment delay and many other factors. The patient may consult the surgeon about further treatment and rehabilitation programs.

Right now, there is no definitive treatment for spinal cord injuries. Many treatments are in experimental phases and will require further detailed study.

These include medicines used, procedures like hypothermia or CSF drainage, brain or spinal cord stimulation, cell transplantation, neuromodulation, and robotics use.

It depends on the hospital category chosen by patients and the type of implant discussed. At Simpainortho.com, we have tried to reduce the cost of surgery and hospital expenses and included complete after-surgery services that patients require because we know treatment doesn’t end at the patient's discharge. To ensure the quick recovery of patients in simpainortho.com, we believe that a patient requires expert care within the most comfortable surroundings until he/she can join routine activities. So, we have made different packages for different patients according to need, and that too at the most affordable prices.

Yes, most insurances have included spinal cord injury surgery.