A short and brief information about spinal cord injury.

1. SPINAL CORD
INJURY

3.  MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS
 SPORTS INJURIES
 INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENTS
 ACTS OF VIOLENCE (GUNSHOT OR KNIFE WOUND)
 FALLING FROM A SIGNIFICANT HEIGHT
 SEVERE TWISTING OF THE MIDDLE PORTION OF THE TORSO
 POLIO
 ALCOHOL
 IF THE SPINE IS WEAK BECAUSE OF ANOTHER CONDITION, SUCH AS
ARTHRITIS, MINOR INJURIES CAN CAUSE SPINAL TRAUMA.

5.  COMPLETE SPINAL CORD
INJURY
- Permanent damage to the area of the
spinal cord that is affected
 INCOMPLETE SPINAL CORD
INJURY
-Partial damage to the spinal cord.
The ability to move and the amount of
feeling depends on the area of the spine
injured and the severity of the injury.

6.  CERVICAL SPINAL CORD INJURY- The head and neck
region above the shoulders are affected
 THORACIC SPINAL CORD INJURY- The upper chest, mid-
back, and abdominal muscles are affected
 LUMBAR SPINAL CORD INJURY- The hips and legs are
affected
 SACRAL SPINAL CORD INJURY- The hips, back of the
thighs, buttocks, and pelvic organs are affected

7.  HEADACHE, PAIN, PRESSURE & STIFFNESS IN THE BACK OR NECK AREA
 PROBLEMS IN WALKING
 FEELINGS OF SPREADING NUMBNESS OR TINGLING IN THE
EXTREMITIES
 LOSS CONTROL OF THE BLADDER OR BOWELS
 INABILITY TO MOVE THE ARMS OR LEGS
 SIGNS OF SHOCK
 UNNATURAL POSITIONING OF THE HEAD
 INABILITY TO TOTALLY MOVE THE BODY
 UNCONCIOUSNESS

8.  BLADDER CONTROL
 BOWEL CONTROL
 SKIN SENSATION
 CIRCULATORY CONTROL
 RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
 MUSCLE TONE
 FITNESS & WELLNESS
 SEXUAL HEALTH
 DEPRESSION

9.  Physical therapy to strengthen the damaged area.
 Surgery is performed to remove anything which may have penetrated the spinal
cord, or to achieve fusion (to limit movement in the spinal column around the
spinal cord).
 Steroid injections are also used to reduce inflammation in the area of the spinal
cord injury.

10.  Patients with a complete cord injury have a less than 5% chance of recovery. If
complete paralysis at 72hours after injury, recovery is essentially zero.
 The prognosis is much better for the incomplete cord syndromes.
 If some sensory function is preserved, the chance that the patient will eventually
be able to walk is greater than 50%.
 Ultimately, 90% of patients with SCI return to their homes and regain
independence.
 In the early 1900's, the mortality rate a year after injury in patients with complete
lesions approached 100%. Much of the improvement since then can be attributed
to the introduction of antibiotics to treat pneumonia and urinary tract infection.
 Currently, the 5-year survival rate for patients with a traumatic quadriplegia
(partial or total loss of use of all four limbs and torso) exceeds 90%.

11.  Kinesiologist should
plan with client
ways to improve
personal mobility:
Homes
Vehicles
Public Access
Types of wheelchairs,
mobility devices,
splinting and seating
available.

12.  DRIVE SAFELY
 PREVENT FALLS
 TAKE PRECAUTION WHEN PLAYING SPORTS
 DON’T DRINK & DRIVE

13. END