Everything you need to know about a Spinal Cord Injury

Every year about 250,000 to 500,000 people sustain Spinal Cord Injuries with a ripple effect that extends beyond patients to encompass their loved ones too. However early intervention and the right rehabilitation can greatly accelerate the recovery process and place the afflicted back on their feet. 

Before we discuss the available treatment and therapies for rehabilitation, let's understand what a Spinal Cord is and its categories. 

What is a Spinal Cord? 

People mistake the Spinal Cord to be a single piece of bone that extends from the neck and goes down to the lower back. Well, it is actually a column of nerves shielded by a cover called myelin and further protected by 31 butterfly-shaped, interlocked bones known as the vertebrae. 

In other words, it is the line of communication between the brain and the rest of the body with nerves that carry incoming and outgoing messages — to and from the brain. 

The Spinal Cord is divided into four regions: 

The Cervical Spinal Cord - is the top-most portion and consists of eight vertebrae referred to as C1-C8. The Thoracic Spinal Cord - forms the middle section of the Spinal Cord that contains vertebrae referred to as T1-T12. The Lumbar Spinal Cord - forms the lower region of the cord. This is where it starts to bend. It consists of 5 vertebrae numbered as L1-L5. The Sacral Spine - is the lower triangle-shaped region of the spine that includes five vertebrae. While the lumbar spine bends inwards, the vertebrae of the sacral region bend slightly outwards. 

Types of Spinal Cord Injuries 

Any injury to the column of nerves capable of blocking communication between the brain and the body or parts of it is a Spinal Cord Injury. Now, because the Spinal Cord’s function is so vital to our body, an injury to it can lead to loss of strength, sensation, and movement. That’s not all, people are also known to endure mental, emotional, and social impediments. However, timely treatment and rehabilitation can help individuals lead a productive and independent life. Before we deep-dive into the treatment, let's look at the two types of Spinal Cord Injuries. 

Complete Spinal Cord Injury This results in complete loss of body movements with no sensation or motor functions below the site of the injury. In such injuries, both sides of the body are severely affected and the loss of functions is a result of contusion or bruise to the Spinal Cord or reduced supply of blood to the injured part. 

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury If an individual is able to experience some sensation and perform motor function below the injury, it will be called an incomplete Spinal Cord Injury. In fact, patients are typically able to move one arm or leg with an improved recovery rate. With the advancements in the treatment, around 60% of injuries are now categorized as incomplete. 

Incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries can have been further divided into three categories on the basis of region and the severity of the injury. 

Anterior Cord Syndrome - damages the motor and sensory pathways in the Spinal Cord. The patient retains some sensation but struggles with movement. 

Central Cord Syndrome - occurs at the center and damages the signal-carrying nerves, resulting in loss of motor skills, paralysis of the arms, and partial impairment in the legs. Some patients also experience loss of bowel or bladder control and sexual dysfunction. 

Brown-Sequard Syndrome - takes place when one side of the Spinal Cord is damaged that leads to paralysis on the same side of the body. 

Furthermore, depending on the varying levels of the incomplete Spinal Cord Injuries, they have been divided into: 

Tetraplegia - also known as Quadriplegia it occurs when the Cervical Spinal Cord gets damaged. Such an injury leads to impairment in the arms, hands, trunk, legs and pelvic region of the body. 

Paraplegia - occurs due to an injury in the Thoracic Spinal Cord. In such injuries, sensation and movement gets impaired in the lower part of the body especially the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs. 

Causes Spinal Cord Injuries are preventable. By knowing the most common causes, one can take necessary precautions and even possibly avoid it. 

● Road accidents are one of the leading causes 

● Falls are responsible for 15% of all cases 

● Acts of violence contribute to 12% of Spinal Cord Injuries 

● Sport and recreational activities account for 10% of all cases 

● Alcohol consumption accounts for 1 out of every 4 cases 

● Diseases like cancer, arthritis, inflammation of the Spinal Cord is also known causes Apart from the above mentioned causes, a person can also suffer a Spinal Cord Injury due to: 

● Gunshots 

● Diving (propelling head first into the water) 

● Falling objects (usually takes place at industrial sites) 

● Pedestrian injuries (getting distracted by phones and other devices) 

Treatment Hospitalization is the first step towards recovery after sustaining a Spinal Cord Injury. At the hospital, vitals of the patient are checked, tests are conducted, and based on the severity of the injury, a decision on whether to go for surgery or not is taken. 

The second phase of treatment is Rehabilitation. During this stage, the patient undergoes physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, acupuncture, and therapeutic massages for at least three hours every day till motor and sensory functions improve. 

At Plexus, apart from the above mentioned therapies, under the Regenerative Rehabilitation Program, Stem Cell Therapy for the Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury ​is also used. 

Stem Cell Therapy is a drugless, painless, non-surgical procedure where stem cells, that have the ability to regenerate and replace damaged cells, are injected in the affected area. Armed with the power of regeneration, stem cells have shown positive results in managing and mitigating the adverse effects and complications of Spinal Cord Injuries.