What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
The spine is made up of a series of vertebrae which are split
into different categories.
There are two types of spinal cord injury. One is a complete
injury and the other is an incomplete injury. If there is an
incomplete injury, then two individuals may, in fact, suffer
different levels of incapacity and paralysis as a consequence. With
a complete injury, the effects of that injury, at the same level,
will be very similar across the board.
The spinal cord is connected to the brain and is protected by
the bony vertebrae column. The cord itself is surrounded by a
cerebral spinal fluid which acts as a cushion and protects nerve
tissues.
Causes of Spinal Cord Injury
The most common cause of spinal cord injury results as a
consequence of damage to the bony spinal column that surrounds the
spinal cord. This can result in damage to the nerves of the spinal
cord and is known as a traumatic injury. It can be caused by the
following:
- road traffic accidents
- sports injuries
- assault
- complications following surgery, e.g. surgery for spinal
deformity
- work-related accidents
The Effects of a Spinal Cord Injury
Once the spinal cord has been damaged, this can mean that the
spinal cord is unable to send messages properly. The brain cannot,
in effect, communicate with the body and this can result in loss of
movement and sensation.
It is important to note that in the initial weeks after a
traumatic spinal cord injury, the individual will have bruising and
swelling around the spinal cord which is called “spinal shock”. The
swelling itself can cause further damage to the spinal cord.
However, it is only once the swelling subsides, the true extent of
the spinal cord injury and its affect, can be assessed.