Acute Spinal Cord Injury: Assessment and Management

Abstract

Around the world, 250000–500000 people every year face a spinal cord injury. Cause of acute spinal cord injuries includes falls, motor vehicle accidents, sport injuries, trampoline accidents, gunshot, stab wound, abscess/infection on the spinal cord and birth injuries which affect the spinal cord. Most spinal cord injuries are due to preventable causes such as road traffic crashes, falls or violence. The term ‘spinal cord injury’ refers to damage to the spinal cord resulting from trauma or from disease or degeneration. Risk of mortality depends on level of injury and availability of medical aid. Symptoms of acute spinal cord injuries can vary. It depends on the location of the injury on spinal cord. It determines what part of body will affect and how severe the symptoms will appear. A case of acute spinal cord injuries needs emergency evaluation. An acute spinal cord injury can cause ongoing neurological problems that require further medical follow-up. The specific treatment is based on age, overall health, medical history, extent, and type of acute spinal cord injury, response to initial treatment, and expected course of the acute spinal cord injury. Currently, there is no way to repair a damaged or bruised cord. An interdisciplinary team of health care providers is required for the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of such cases. There are many potential complications which requires special attention. A patient with spinal cord injury, needs help for rehabilitation methods. These methods may help him using physical and occupational therapies.