Spinal Injuries, Types, Causes & Pain Treatment
Pain in spine is really hard to bear and requires precise treatment and management.Damage to the spinal cord can be either caused by compression from tumor or infection, trauma or loss of its normal blood supply. Spinal cord injury can be one of the most dangerous injuries that can happen to anyone. Depending upon its location and the level of completeness, spinal cord injury may lead to paralysis and can even be life-threatening.
What is a Spinal Cord?
The spinal cord is the most important and integral part of the brain and the central nervous system with a bunch of nerves that extends from the medulla oblongata and is entrenched around by the vertebrae, stacked one above the other, forming the backbone. The spinal cord begins at the occipital bone and runs all the way down between the first and second lumbar vertebrae, where it transmits impulses to and from the brain.
The spine is responsible for various functions including movements and controls and stimuli pain perception, ability to move, and bodily functions regulation. Many patients recover completely from spinal injuries, while few may have to deal with the consequences over a much longer time or even a lifetime.
Types of spinal cord injuries
The type of injury is also determined by its location. The spinal cord is divided into four sections and each of the four sections controls different parts of the body. The four types of spinal cord injuries are:
Cervical spinal injury:
The top portion of the spine, which includes the vertebrae in the neck, is the cervical spine. As cervical spine injuries can affect the largest portion of the body which can be the most severe type of injury as these are closest to the brain.
Thoracic spinal injury:
The upper and middle part of the back is the thoracic spine. A thoracic spine injury often affects the muscles in the legs, abdomen, and lower back. People with a thoracic spine injury may have paraplegia, in which parts of the trunk and legs are paralysed.
Lumbar spinal injury:
The lumbar spine is the spine's lowest major portion. The vertebrae in this section of the spine are larger than those in other parts of the spine because they hold more weight. People with a lumbar spine injury may lose the function of their hips and legs, but they usually retain control of their upper body.
Sacral spinal injury:
The portion just above the tailbone is known as the sacral spine. The area of the hips, groin, and backs of the thighs are all controlled by nerves arising from this part of the spinal cord. The hips and legs may lose function as a result of a sacral spine injury.
Causes
There are various causes for all spinal injuries, however the most common cause would be sudden events and trauma, like:
- Accidents and/or violent attacks
- Electrical shocks
- Vehicle accidents
- Sports injuries
- Degenerative conditions of the spine
Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries?
You may need emergency surgery for a spinal injury. The spinal cord can be injured by broken bones, blood clots, or damaged tissue, which can all be treated with surgery. Neurological outcomes are observed to be better when the treatment is initiated within eight hours of the injury, This treatment may:
- Improve blood flow
- Preserve nerve function
- Reduce inflammation
Spinal cord injuries can drastically change your life. It’s important to have a strong support system, if you’re dealing with any spinal cord injury. This support system can be the expert doctor, who can help you to improve your health and quality of life.
