Spinal cord injury is a traumatic damage of the spinal cord dealt by the mechanic factors, which leads to its permanent or temporary dysfunction.
Symptoms of the spinal cord injury can vary widely according to the location of the injury and its severity. Sensory disorders appear in dermatomes that are corresponding to the level of the spinal cord lesion and include loss of sensitivity, paresthesia, pain and numbness in the affected area. Damage of the motor innervation leads to the development of the paresis or palsy. Depending on the level of the injury it will affect different groups of muscles (Savić, 2003). The higher is the location of the spinal cord injury, the more groups of muscles won’t be able to function properly. For, example, in the case of injury of the cervical region patient, won’t be able to breathe without ventilator due to the paralysis of the diaphragm and intercostal muscles.
Medications are used more commonly in the case of the severe condition of the patient. For example, in the case of spinal shock vasopressors and corticosteroids are used to increase systemic arterial pressure. Narcotic analgesics are widely used to reduce the intensity of the pain, which can be very severe (Cadotte & Fehlings, 2010).
When it comes to particular concerns about the patients’ health status, it is crucial to securely immobilize the patient during the first aid and during transportation to the hospital. Patient and his family should be taught that in the case of incomplete injury full recovery is possible but it can be achieved after a long rehabilitation program. Unfortunately, in the case of complete injury, the lost function cannot be restored. In this case, the patient should work with a psychologist to overcome the stress and should be taught to use devices which can help to maintain an active lifestyle.
References:
Cadotte, D. & Fehlings, M. (2010). Spinal Cord Injury: A Systematic Review of Current Treatment Options. Clinical Orthopaedics And Related Research®, 469(3), 732-741. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11999-010-1674-0
Savić, G. (2003). ABC of Spinal Cord Injury. Spinal Cord, 41(1), 57-57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/sj.sc.3101402
