All about spinal cord injury  spinal cord causes of spinal cord injury complications of spinal cord injury symptoms of spinal cord injury diagnosis of spinal cord injury treatment and rehabilitation for spinal cord injury |
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What causes spinal cord injury?
Spinal cord injury occurs from either a trauma (injury) or from a disease or infection to the neural tissue within the vertebral column (the backbone). Most of the time the spinal cord is bruised or swollen, but sometimes the injury tears the spinal
cord. After a spinal cord injury, the nerves at the injury site and below are not able to send messages between the brain and parts of the body like they did before the injury. Damage to the spinal cord is usually caused by one of five different types of injuries. Concussion of the spinal cord occurs when a sudden, violent jolt injures the tissues around the cord. This injury is usually temporary and goes away with in a few hours. A spinal contusion (bruise) causes bleeding to occur in the spinal column. The pressure the bleeding puts on the spinal cord can kill neurons. Spinal compression occurs when an object, for example, a tumor, puts pressure on the spinal cord. When the spinal cord becomes torn by some type of injury, the neurons are also damaged. Or, injury occurs when the spinal cord is completely cut. Fifty percent of all spinal cord injuries occur in a motor vehicle accident. Twenty percent occur from a fall, 15% from some act of violence, and 14% from a sports-related accident. The accidents that cause many spinal cord injuries are related to drug or alcohol abuse. Other causes of spinal cord injury include infection or disease, such as cysts on the spinal cord, multiple sclerosis, or cervical spondylosis (degeneration of the disks and vertebrae in the neck). |
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More information on spinal cord injury
What is spinal cord injury? - Spinal cord injury (SCI) is damage to the nerves within the spinal canal. Most SCI's are caused by trauma to the vertebral column.
What is the spinal cord? - The spinal cord is a part of the vertebrate nervous system that is enclosed in and protected by the vertebral column.
What causes spinal cord injury? - Spinal cord injury occurs from either a trauma (injury) or from a disease or infection to the neural tissue within the vertebral column.
What're the complications of spinal cord injury? - Aside from a loss of sensation and movement, patients with a spinal cord injury may also experience bladder and bowel complications.
What're the symptoms of spinal cord injury? - Symptoms of spinal cord injury depend upon the severity and location of the injury. Complications of injuries include deep vein thrombosis.
How is spinal cord injury diagnosed? - Diagnostic tests such as x-rays, computed tomography scans (CT scans), and magnetic resonance imaging scans of the spinal area can help diagnosis.
What's the treatment for spinal cord injury? - Rehabilitation after spinal cord injury seeks to prevent complications, promote recovery, and make the most of remaining function. |
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