Spinal Cord Injury Treatment - Pathway to Recovery

Every year, close to a million Indians sustain Spinal Cord Injuries due to unfortunate incidents such as road accidents or sports injuries. While some recover fully, others suffer physical and emotional impairments because these injuries have the potential to hamper an individual’s ability to perform daily chores independently, altering the way they live forever. 

The lack of advanced medical technologies led most Spinal Cord Injury cases to be classified as irreversible in the past. On the contrary today, with the latest developments in medical sciences, we know that not all Spinal Cord Injuries are untreatable. And this has become even more evident with a tremendous increase in recovery rates due to timely treatments and consistent therapeutic efforts.

At times, a sudden blow to the back or a fall can damage the spinal cord or the nerves at the end of the spinal canal. This causes a permanent or partial loss of certain functions in the patient such as body strength and sensations, making them dependant on others. 

Spinal Cord Injuries are definitely trying times for both the patients and their families.  That’s why we have charted out all the important steps towards recovery that’ll act as a guide. 

Read on.  

Acute Phase: Immediate Treatment 

Typically, when a patient encounters an acute Spinal Cord Injury, they are immediately transferred to the trauma center of the hospital, where primary care is given. Here, the patient is immobilized and surgery is performed to correct the abnormality and stabilize the patient’s condition. 

Rehabilitation Phase: Long-term Therapies

While the initial treatment focuses on damage control, the rehabilitation phase is crucial to the recovery process. It mainly revolves around improving the physical condition of the patient, thereby enhancing the quality of life and gaining more independence. Some of the common goals set for patients at this stage of the treatment are: 

• Improving hand functions and dexterity
• Increasing body strength and flexibility 
• Practicing personal hygiene and care 
• Encouraging walking and balancing  
• Taking better care of mental health 

To achieve the above goals, patients undergo rehabilitation programs with various kinds of therapies such as Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, etc. This is important as it holds long-term benefits, making the aftermath of Spinal Cord Injury manageable. Read on to know more: 

Occupational Therapy (OT)

Occupational Therapy lays great emphasis on helping patients lead an independent life by helping them gain control over various routines that involve personal care, cooking, eating, etc. Occupational Therapists use various techniques involving exercises that build fine motor and gross motor skills, body strength, and endurance. 

During the rehabilitation period, therapists thoroughly observe the patients’ natural environment and draw customized action plans and interventions depending on their needs and goals. For example, if the patient’s goal is to get back to writing, the Occupational Therapist will use small hand-related exercises that aid better blood circulation in the fingers, eventually enhancing the grip and wrist movements. 

Physiotherapy 

This is a hands-on therapy with rigorous exercises and stretching maneuvers that play a vital role in better pain management and blood circulation. Additionally, it helps reduce muscle atrophy, contractures, and other weakness — helping patients regain their lost mobility. 

Some of the widely used physiotherapy techniques are: 

• Muscle stretching
• Massage therapy
• Joint manipulation
• Neurodynamic exercises

Stem Cell Therapy in the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury

Over the years, regenerative medicine’s Stem Cell Therapy has demonstrated promising results in the recovery of patients with neurological conditions, including Spinal Cord Injuries. Stem Cell Therapy in the treatment of Spinal Cord Injury restores the functions of the spinal cord, partially or fully depending on the severity of the patient’s condition. Doctors often recommend a combination of Stem Cell Therapy and other rehabilitation therapies for better results. 

Coping with a devastating condition like Spinal Cord Injury can be hard for everyone, however, there’s still hope. There are ongoing studies that point towards positive results and cure. And in recent times, Stem Cell Therapy has taken the lead in helping patients and their families bounce back to normalcy within no time.