Spinal cord injury (SCI) is defined as injury to the spinal cord that results in a loss of function, such as movement or sensation. In SCI, the spinal cord does not have to be severed to cause a loss of functioning.

If spinal cord injury (SCI) is suspected, patients should be transported to hospital immediately. Often, ambulance personnel will transport the patient. Ambulance personnel are trained in how to protect the patient’s spine in cases of suspected injuries. A hard, immovable collar will be placed around the patient’s neck and the patient will be strapped to a backboard to prevent movement. These measures are necessary to prevent further injury to the spinal cord.

Spinal cord injuries (SCI’s) can be divided into two main categories, complete and incomplete injuries. They may be further classified into several categories according to the extent of motor and sensation loss using the international classification system of the American Spinal Cord Association (ASIA). The classification of a patient’s injury is not static, and may change during recovery.

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury

Incomplete SCI does not result in complete loss of movement and sensation below the level of the injury; patients may have varying degrees of both.

The bony spine is the main support and protection for the spinal cord and the nerve pathways that are responsible for carrying messages from your arms, legs, and the rest of your body to and from the brain.

Your spine is composed of 33 bony vertebrae, 31 pairs of nerves, and 40 muscles supported by connecting ligaments and tendons from the base of your skull to your coccyx, or tailbone. Discs, like shock absorbers, cushion your vertebrae as you move and keep your spine flexible. Discs are composed of fibrous, elastic cartilage.

Cervical Spine

Thoracic Spine

Lumbosacral Spine

Traditionally, surgery has not been viewed as the mainstay in treatment for spinal cord injury (SCI). Surgery has generally been reserved for those patients with an incomplete SCI, or for those who experience progressive neurological deterioration. Surgery may be done immediately for blood clots, herniated discs, or other lesions applying pressure to the spinal cord.

If it is determined that the patient has a spinal cord injury (SCI), the patient will likely be admitted to the ICU (intensive care unit). An intensive care unit is for critically ill patients who require a high level of care and monitoring. If one is nearby, the patient may be transferred to a regional spine injury center, which is staffed by personnel skilled in treating SCI, such as neurosurgeons, orthopedic surgeons, nurses, therapists, and social workers.

Spinal cord injury has a severe impact on the patient’s life, affecting all aspects of daily life. The life of a SCI patient will never be the same, but most SCI patients go on to lead fulfilling and productive lives. Rehabilitation is perhaps the most important phase in SCI treatment. While medications and surgery can help to return some function and sensation to patients, there is no cure for SCI. Rehabilitation offers the patient an opportunity to learn how they can lead as productive and normal a life as possible.

Spinal cord injury affects all aspects of physical health, and nutrition is no exception. In the days and weeks following injury, nutritional needs change. In the acute phase, caloric needs are higher as the body attempts to help heal itself and burns more calories than normal. This hyper state of metabolism often leads to an initial weight loss. Additionally, due to the severity of their injury, many patients have a poor appetite in the early days following injury.

Sustaining a spinal cord injury creates the need for a wide range of equipment that will be required for the patient to function once the patient returns home. Some types of equipment will be very expensive and SCI patients or family members may want to ask for help in navigating the system. A physiotherapist, social worker, or doctor will be able to offer advice on suitable types of equipment that may be needed and programs that may assist with funding.

Patients with spinal cord injuries are living longer and living better quality lives. However, patients with SCI are always vulnerable to a host of health issues. Which health issues may affect them depends on how severe their injury is, and where the injury occurred. The following outlines some of the complications that a patient may encounter.

Medications used in spinal cord injuries are used to treat the symptoms experienced by patients. There is no medication to cure SCI.