Spinal Cord Injury

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Medindia » First Aid » First Aid-Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal Cord Injury - First Aid and Emergency Treatment Guide

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   Overview
   Causes
    Symptoms
   Treatment
   Prevention

Overview

Spinal cord injury is otherwise called 'myelopathy'

It results in an injury to the nerve fibers in the cord

Can cause loss of physical sensation and mobility

Spinal cord remains intact in most of the injuries

Complete injury causes no movement/sensation below injury

Incomplete injury-retains some movement/sensation below injury

Physical therapy, ventilators, wheel chairs often required

Causes

Automobile accidents
Diving accidents
Falls
Shot by a gun
Conditions like
a. Polio
b. Tumor
c. Spina Bifida
d. Friedreich's Ataxia

Symptoms

Loss of sensation
Loss of motor functions
Loss of bowel/bladder functions
Sexual function can get affected
Loss of involuntary functions, like breathing
Inability to control rate of heart beat
Inability to sweat
Chronic pain

Treatment Seek medical help or call for an ambulance as soon as possible. Meanwhile-

Move the person, if surrounding is not safe
Immobilize the head, neck and body on both sides
Movements may dislocate vertebra and cause further injury
If there is no sign of breathing, perform CPR
Do not tilt head backward during CPR

Prevention

Always wear a seat belt while driving
Use special seat belts for children and babies
Do not drink and drive
Do not dive into a shallow pool area

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IN CASE OF EMERGENCY(ICE)-Life Saving Measures

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Member Comments ( 2 )

it is knowledgeable as well as attractive.
(Posted by vijayphysio, India Date : 9/4/2012 )

WHILE MOVING PERSON WITH SUSPECTED SPINAL CORD INJURY, THE FOLLOWING SHOULD BE KEPT IN MIND:
1. LOG OF WOOD METHOD SHOULD BE FOLLOWED.
2. MINIMUM THREE TO FIVE HELPERS SHOULD BE INVOLVED WHILE DOING THIS.
3. ONE HOLDING AT BACK OF NECK, ONE BEHIND CHEST AND THIRD AT THE LOW BACK AND LEGS.
4. ALL FIVE SHOULD COORDINATE IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE WHOLE BODY OF PERSON IS LIFTED IN TOTO WITHOUT CREATING ANY MOVEMENT OF SPINE.(LIKE LIFTING LOG OF WOOD)
5. THE ABOVE CAN BE DON BY KEEPING ONE PERSON AMONG FIVE AS LEADER AND HE SHOULD COUNT NUMBERS. THE MOMENT LEADER FINISHES COUNTING THREE ALL HELPERS SHOULD LIFT THE VICTIM AT A TIME.
DR.ANUSHA
(Posted by dr.anusha, India Date : 12/15/2011 )