How is spinal cord injury diagnosed?

Table of Contents

Diagnostic tests for spinal cord injuries may include a CT scan, MRI or X-ray These tests will help the doctors get a better look at abnormalities within the spinal cord. Your doctor will be able to see exactly where the spinal cord injury has occurred.

What are the complications of spinal cord injury?

Long-term complications of a spinal cord injury may include:

Inability to regulate blood pressure or body temperature.
Increased risk of heart or lung problems.
Loss of bladder or bowel control.
Paralysis in the arms or legs.
Persistent pain.
Spasticity, joint contracture.
Sexual dysfunction.

What is spinal shock syndrome?

Spinal shock is the altered physiologic state immediately after a spinal cord injury (SCI), which presents as loss of spinal cord function caudal to the level of the injury, with flaccid paralysis, anesthesia, absent bowel and bladder control, and loss of reflex activity.

Can you fully recover from a spinal cord injury?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to reverse damage to the spinal cord. But researchers are continually working on new treatments, including prostheses and medications, that might promote nerve cell regeneration or improve the function of the nerves that remain after a spinal cord injury.

Can you fully recover from spinal shock?

Typically, spinal shock comes with several symptoms, such as sensory loss and paralysis. The good thing is that many people recover partially or fully from it.

Does spinal shock go away?

Spinal shock usually lasts for days or weeks after spinal cord injury and the average duration is 4 to 12 weeks. Spinal shock is terminated earlier and the pyramidal tract signs and defense reactions occur sooner in incomplete lesions than with complete transverse lesions.

How long do spinal cord injury patients live?

Patients aged 20 years at the time they sustain these injuries have a life expectancy of approximately 35.7 years (patients with high tetraplegia [C1-C4]), 40 years (patients with low tetraplegia [C5-C8]), or 45.2 years (patients with paraplegia).

Can you walk after a spinal cord injury?

Difficulty walking is very common following a spinal cord injury (SCI). People with an “incomplete” SCI have more potential to regain walking than those with a “complete” SCI, but people with both types of SCI may have gait training included in their therapy plans.

What is the treatment for spinal shock?

Treatments for spinal cord injury-related spinal shock include: Physical and occupational therapies. Exercise therapy to strengthen muscles and maintain a healthy body weight. Medications such as painkillers, antibiotics, and antidepressants.

Can a person with spinal cord injury walk again?

Many factors play a role in regaining the ability to walk after a spinal cord injury. Fortunately, it is possible for many SCI survivors. There is potential to walk again after SCI because the spinal cord has the ability to reorganize itself and make adaptive changes called neuroplasticity.