Spinal Cord Injury

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You are here : Treatments » Spinal » Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal Cord Injury

The physical and emotional consequences from a spinal cord injury (SCI) can be devastating. Loss of spinal cord function can affect activities that are autonomous (e.g. breathing) as well as thought-driven actions such walking.

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA), the most common spinal cord injury results from a motor vehicle accident (42%) and violence (24%), falling (22%), or sports (8%) are the other main causes.

Occasionally SCIs are caused by diseases such as polio. Spinal cord injuries are usually described using the following terms :

Paraparesis : A slight degree of paralysis affecting the lower extremities

Paraplegia : Complete paralysis of both lower extremities and usually the lower trunk. The upper extremities are not involved.

Quadriparesis : Partial paralysis of all four limbs (arms, legs)

Quadriplegia (or Tetraplegia) : Complete paralysis of all four limbs.

Other terms used to describe neural dysfunction include :

Paresis : Partial paralysis

Paralysis : Partial or complete loss of motor function

Paresthesias : Abnormal sensation such as burning or tingling

The spinal cord does not have to be severed for function to be lost. Most people with spinal cord dysfunction present with the cord intact. Cord injuries usually fall into one of the following categories :

Contusions, or bruising of the spinal cord
Compression injuries that place pressure on the cord
Lacerations or tearing (e.g., from a bullet)
Central Cord Syndrome
Complete severing (rare)

When injury occurs and for a time period following, the spinal cord swells. Loss of function occurs below the level of the injury and may be permanent or temporary. Much depends on the severity of the injury.

Spinal Region	Location	Area Effected	Spinal Levels
Cervical	Neck	Neck, arms, hands	C1 thru C7
Thoracic	Chest	Torso, parts of the arms	T1 thru T12
Lumbar	Low Back	Hips, legs	T12 thru L5
Sacral	Pelvis	Groin, toes, parts of the leg	S1 thru S5

Symptoms may include loss of motor function, sensation or proprioception. The nerves responsible for these functions transmit their messages through the muscles, tendons, joints and other organs.

Destruction of sensory nerve fibers may lead to loss of sensation such as touch, pressure, and temperature. Reflexes may become exaggerated, bladder and bowel control may be lost, even the ability to breath normally may be compromised.

Diagnosis
When spinal cord injury is suspected (e.g., spinal fracture) immediate medical attention is required. Spinal cord injury (SCI) is usually first diagnosed when the patient presents with a loss of function below the level of injury.

The initial evaluation includes x-rays, a CT scan, and possibly a MRI. Fractures are demonstrated on plain radiographs. CT scanning and MRI studies are used to evaluate the soft tissues in the spinal column. In addition, a myelogram may be performed to identify and evaluate spinal cord lesions caused by trauma or disease.

The neurologic evaluation includes assessment of the patient's symptoms, which might include loss of motor or sensory function. Other neurologic symptoms may include pain, numbness, paresthesias (e.g., tingling), muscle spasm, weakness, and bowel/bladder changes.

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Testimonials

Mohsin Ali

Dear Dipa,

Aploogies for the delay in responding but I have only just returned to the UK and a computer which works!

The following is what I wrote in the Apollo Comments Book when we left and please feel free to use any of it on your web page.

"Mohsin is an 8 year old Pakistani orphan from the SOS Village in Karachi. He needed urgent spinal fusion surgery to give him the chance of a normal life. The operation was not possible in Pakistan but we heard about the Apollo Hospital and Dr Yash Gulati through The Taj Medical Group. The care Mohsin has received from Dr Gulati and his team has been exceptional. The individual attention he has received has surpassed anything I have experienced in the UK Health Service in the past 5 years, whether it be National Health or Private.

Mohsin Ali The operation appears to have been a success and the post-operative care given to Mohsin has been meticulous but above all warm and friendly. In spite of the discomfort Mohsin was able to smile because he felt loved. Dr Gulati made a point of visiting Mohsin at least once a day and Mohsin respected him and trusted him absolutely. All the nurses made such a big fuss of Mohsin that we love them all, particularly S/N Sherin who saw Mohsin through the first difficult post - operative nights and gave him the most wonderful soothing bed baths. The housekeeping services were excellent. I wish the UK NHS was half as efficient and clean and everything done with a smile! .......Read more..

Kay Lanes, UK (Mohsin's Guardian)
Spinal Surgery
July 2006

Stephen Mobley

Stephen Mobley, 44 had been suffering with chronic back pain for the last two years. He could not walk (more than 200m), stand or sleep very well and was prescribed high doses of morphine for pain relief.

Shortly after contacting The Taj Medical Group, Stephen underwent spinal surgery at their Specialist Clinic in Cologne, Germany. The operation comprised placing a flexible Dorsal Spacer Implant. Stephen, (left) is pictured here with his parants.

Below is a short note from his father, David soon after the operation.

Dear Dipa,

I thought that it is time I wrote to express our sincere thanks for your kind assistance in arranging surgery for our son Steve aged 44.

If I have worked it out correctly we first contacted you around 20th November 2006 and Steve actually had his surgery in Cologne on Tuesday 23 January 2007.

From our first contact with you we were provided with detailed information about hospitals and surgeons around the world and at one time we thought that we might go to India for the surgery, after you had kindly arranged for us to speak to the surgeon in India, but we felt that the long flight would probably prove very painful for Steve with his Lumbar Disc problem.

We were therefore, very pleased when you mentioned that there was an excellent Dutch Surgeon at the MediaPark Klinik in Cologne who could carry out the operation which Steve needed, known as a Dorsal Spacer Implant, at a much lower cost than the UK, had it been available in the UK, which it is not..........Read more...

David Mobley, (Father of Stephen, 44)
Staffordshire, UK
Spinal Surgery, Dorsal Spacer Implant
January 2007

Hello Sabina,

Thanks for the greeting. I am sorry it has taken me so long to respond to your e-Mail. Since the day that I returned to the U.S. I have felt a compelling need to relate my experience to the people in my country as well as the rest of the world.

There are many who feel the sense of hopelessness that I experienced, who also believe they have no options and that their life will lead to a never ending struggle with chronic and debilitating pain. Nothing could be further from the truth !!! The level of care that I received in Bangalore was extremely professional and compassionate. As I reflect back upon my experience several things have become clear to me...... Read more..

Ted Grenier (45)
Austin Texas, USA
Artificial Disc Replacement
November 2007

News Coverage of Ted Grenier's Surgery - Special Health Feature on CBS 42 Medical Watch Texas, USA

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