Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal Cord
Injuries References online: National Spinal Cord Association - The National Spinal Cord Injury Association is the nation's oldest and largest civilian organization dedicated to helping the hundreds of thousands of Americans coping with the results of spinal cord injury and disease. MEDLINEplus:
Spinal Cord Injuries - Search MEDLINE for recent research
articles on Spinal Cord Injuries: SPINALCORD: The SCI Information Network - Look here first for latest information, research projects, and happenings Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Resources - An extensive list of spinal cord resources. Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation - Treatments and rehabilitation techniques for those with SCI.
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Spinal Cord Injuries
Adele Anderson
Introduction200,000 individuals in the U.S. have spinal cord injuries
Each year 10,000 people sustain new spinal cord injuries
Most people are injured in automobile and sports accidents, falls, and industrial mishaps 60% of these people are 30 years old or younger . . .
What Is A Spinal Cord Injury?
Communication between the brain and other parts of the body is disrupted,
and messages no longer flow past the damaged areas.
The extent of the communication breakdown is dependent on both the
severity and the location of the injury.
What Is The Spinal Cord?
The human spinal cord is a bundle of nerve cells and fibers that is
17 inches long, extending from the brain to the lower back.
It carries and receives incoming messages from the brain to all parts
of the body, and is protected by the backbone.
Where Do Spinal Cord Injuries Occur?
Spinal cord injuries can occur at any level in the spinal column,
and the level of injury will dictate which bodily functions are altered
or lost.
Effects on Sensation & Movement
The higher the injury is along the backbone, the more movement and
sensation will be altered or lost. An injury to the spine in the cervical
region may cause paralysis in both the arms and the legs, resulting
in “quadriplegia.” An injury to the spine in the thoracic area may
cause paralysis in the legs, resulting in “paraplegia.”
Effects on Bowel & Bladder Function
A bowel is a voluntary part of the intestinal tract which is responsible
for the elimination of solid waste from the body. Following a SCI,
this voluntary control to eliminate waste is lost.
Rehabilitation
The primary goal of rehabilitation is to enable one to optimize their
level of independent functioning, with the ultimate goal of being
able to return to an active and productive life as efficiently as
possible. Adaptations will be necessary daily.
Above All Else . . .
You are the most important member in your rehabilitation team.
Take full advantage of the rehabilitation process – ask questions
and gather information from the professionals!
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