Spinal cord injury (SCI) is usually the result of an indirect damage to the soft tissues, bones and vessels, or direct trauma to the nerves that surround the spinal cord. There are two kinds of SCI, and they are simply known as complete and incomplete. The terms are self-explanatory; incomplete injury causes patients to lose some functioning while complete injury causes the patient to lose all ability to feel and voluntarily move, below the level of the injury.
Signs and symptoms
- Head is positioned unnaturally
- Stiffness, pressure or pain in the neck area or back
- Signs of shock
- Headache
- Unconsciousness
- Feelings of spreading numbness in the extremities
- Losing the ability to move the arms or legs
- Loss of control of the bowels or bladder
- Encountering problems when walking
Note: these are just a few signs and symptoms provided for informational purposes. Do not attempt self-diagnosis based on this list.
Treatment
Damage from spinal cord injuries are often irreversible, but highly effective medications, surgery and other treatments that use immobilization techniques are currently being utilized to treat patients with SCI. Future treatments for SCI are showing promising signs too because researchers are working on innovative treatments, including prostheses and treatments that may help lost nerve cells regenerate.
Northern Neurology Specialties, Dr. Jill Bressler – Experts You Can Trust for Spinal Cord Injury Treatment
Dr. Bressler and Northern Neurology Specialties have a wealth of experience diagnosing and treating spinal cord injuries. Once you have been diagnosed, we will proceed to recommend the appropriate treatment plan without delay. Conservative therapies and medicines are usually first recommended although surgical referrals for more egregious findings are not uncommon. If you have been diagnosed with a spinal cord injury, call to make an appointment. Let us make our assessment of your injuries and provide a medical treatment plan for you .