Research Paper On Spinal Cord Injury

Now that I have shared a brief overview of the spinal cord and some statistics about spinal cord injuries, we will look at the past research that has led to the treatments most commonly used today. In 1990, a steroid called dexamethasone was discovered in human trials to preserve some motor and sensory function if administered at high doses within 8 hours of injury. Surgery used to remove fluid, tissue, or bone fragments, or to stabilize fractured vertebrae by fusing bones or inserting hardware has also proven to be one of the most thorough measures to prevent further harm. I received both of these treatments after my accident, and they are the same that have been used for the past decade. Until recently, doctors had no way of limiting such disabilities, aside from stabilizing the cord to prevent added destruction, treating infections, and prescribing rehabilitative therapy to maximize any remaining capabilities.

The central nervous system is what connects the brain to the muscles of the body. When a patient has an injury to the spinal cord, movements in certain parts of the body will be affected based on the location of the injury. If the injury affects hand motion then many day to day tasks are affected. This literature review seeks to understand how an injury to the spinal cord impacts movement, and what has been done so far to help those affected by spinal cord injuries.

Spinal cord injuries can be extremely debilitating with significant impairment in autonomic, sensory, and motor function (Coll-Miro et al., 2016). The prevalence in Canada is on the rise with approximately 86,000 individuals suffering from such injuries as of 2010 (Noonan et al., 2012). Spinal cord injuries are generally classified as either traumatic or non-traumatic, depending on etiology (Sabapathy et al., 2015). In addition, they are subdivided into either complete or incomplete, depending on whether the spinal cord section is fully or partially damaged (Wilberger and Dupre, 2015). The latter classification has better clinical outcomes as some neurologic function is reserved (Wilberger and Dupre, 2015). Other subtypes include paraplegia and quadriplegia denoting paralysis of the lower body or all limbs, respectively (Wilberger and Dupre, 2015; Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014). The pathogenesis of spinal cord injuries is characterized by primary tissue damage due to the force of impact, followed by secondary tissue damage as a result of the inflammatory response (Sabapathy et al., 2015; Coll-Miro et al., 2015). The symptoms and severity may vary depending on the location and pathology of the contusion (Sabapathy et al., 2015). Presenting symptoms include but are not limited to numbness or pain in the extremities, loss of sensation, impaired movement or gait, abnormal reflexes, disrupted bladder or bowel function, and sexual dysfunction (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014). Several

Spinal injuries can happen to anyone. There are less than 200,000 cases in the US each year, and most of the time this injury can not be completely cured. The spinal cord is about 18 inches long, it is a bundle of nerves which contains neurons that carry signals between the brain and body. The spinal cord has sections, C1-C8, T1-T12, L1-L5, the sacrum, and the coccyx. The C stands for Cervical, the T for Thoracic, and the L stands for Lumbar. Injuring different sections signifies different problems and diagnosis. The spinal cord controls the body. It controls sensory messages which include sense of touch, pain, pressure, temperature, and body position. It controls motor messages which tell the body what to do. For example, legs, arms, hands,

In the United States, there are approximately 17,000 new cases of spinal cord injuries every year and it is estimated that as of the year 2016 approximately 282,000 people in the United States have an injury to the spinal cord to some degree (NSCISC 2016). The diagnosis of a spinal cord injury includes any damage to the spinal cord, including the nerves associated with it. This kind of injury causes permanent damage to the body by a decrease in strength, sensation, and body functions (Shroff et al. 2017). Spinal cord injuries are particularly hard to treat because each injury is different and the cells associated with the spinal cord are hard to target and treat. In most cases, no improvement functionally is made and the symptoms are permanent.

Having a spinal cord injury can be a very life changing event in many ways. It can affect the ability to function in different daily activities. Spinal cord injury mostly affects people during their early adult 19 years old and an average age at the time of injury of 38 (National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center 2006). Since a spinal cord injury affects all systems of the human body, a lot of people who end up with a spinal injury have serious inquires about how their injuries will affect their performance in a sexual relationship. The way you feel about sex and the ability to have sex is important and is different for everyone. Having injury to the spinal cord will have some effect on sexual functions in the body. The level of which sexual

Spinal cord injury is a serious problem that effects close to 250,000 people in the United States with 10,000 people being injured per year . There are many things that can lead to spinal cord injury, including athletic injuries, car accidents, and recreational activities like swimming and biking. It primarily effects those between the ages of 16 and 30 and drastically effects the rest of their lives. It is a very debilitating injury that requires extensive medical care, often leaves the patients in a great deal of pain for the rest of their lives(2), and the treatment of which costs $10 billion dollars a year in the US.(facts from site 1) With all of these factors spurring research on there is a strong drive to

Spinal cord injuries result from a fracture or dislocation of the vertebrae that is typically due to a sudden, forceful blow to the spine (“NINDS Spinal Cord Injury Information Page”, 2016). According to Early (2006), A traumatic accident, such as a shooting, stabbing, car accident, or diving accident, may result in a spinal cord injury (p. 535). According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2016), Damage to the spinal tissue results from displaced or shards of vertebral bone fragments, damaged ligaments, or discs that bruise or tear the delicate tissue and destroy axons. Destruction of axons result in the inability to carry signals from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body (“NINDS Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries are characterized by two distinct injury phases. The primary injury phase is represented by all the tissue directly damaged at the time of injury. The damage seen in this phase is primarily shearing of cells, destruction of local vasculature, and severe disruption of spinal cord function. The secondary injury phase is characterized by inflammation of the injury site, immune-mediated tissue destruction, and edema formation at the lesion site. The nature of spinal cord injuries makes the damage done by the primary injury irreversible. The majority of therapeutic research is done with the intention of lessening the damage done during the secondary injury phase. One major complication faced by researchers trying to control the secondary injury phase is the localized destruction of vasculature. Without a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, many of the cells in the spinal cord will begin to die rapidly, oftentimes releasing biological signals that encourage other cells to die as well. The uncontrolled movement of fluid into the lesion site causes the tissue to swell, further complicating the processes of rebuilding vasculature. The movement of immune

There are many causes of the spinal cord injuries such as the vehicular accidents, falls, recreational activities and work place injuries. The spinal cord injury can also occur in medical negligence cases involving the surgical procedures in the neck and back.

NINDS Spinal Cord Injury Information Page. (2016, March 23). Retrieved March 26, 2016, from http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/sci/sci.htm

In the United States alone, there are approximately 12,000 new spinal cord injury cases each year (The National SCI Statistical Center [NSCISC], 2013). The severity of the patient’s injuries depends on how severe the spinal cord injury is, and where it is located at on the spinal column. If the spinal cord injury is complete, it renders the patient paralyzed below the injury. If the spinal cord injury is incomplete, the patient may have some movement and sensation below the injury (Medline Plus, 2014).

This results in either a loss of sensation, or a loss of perception. According to the Rick Hansen Spinal Cord Injury Registry, vehicle accidents make up 46% of spinal cord injuries. Acts of violence (from knife wounds or gun shots) make up 11% of spinal cord injuries. Falls and sports injuries make up 24%, industrial accidents (damages from chemicals) make up 5%, and other injuries (such as inflammation of the spinal cord) make up 14% of spinal cord injuries. The survival rate is reasonably high for those suffering from spinal cord injuries, but life will never be normal again. Since the connection between the brain and the receptor or effector is damaged, stimulations may not be interpreted or signals may not reach the effector. This might result in loss of balance, coordination, loss of sensation, uncontrolled movements, and paralysis.

Approximately 11,000 new cases of spinal cord injury (SCI) occur in the United States each year, contributing to the over 200,000 individuals currently living with SCI. SCI results in tremendous changes in an individual’s life, causing impairments to the musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, integumentary, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and sensory systems. Mobility and self-care become limited as well as participation in social and everyday activities when SCI causes paralysis of the muscles below the injury1. An individual who was once independent may now have to depend on others for help in their daily routine. The rehabilitation process plays a major role in helping those with SCI become as independent as possible, and physical therapists

A spinal cord injury does not occur in a single moment. Instead damage will continue to ensue for days to weeks after the initial injury. The initial impact and injury causes the immediate damage and death of oligodendrocytes and motor neurons. However, another wave of damage is caused by the secondary processes that occur after the injury. The spinal cord is a bundle of nervous tissue and neurons protected by the vertebral column that transmits electrical synapses, or messages, from the brain to the rest of the body. It is composed of three layers of membranes and is protected by the bony vertebrae that make up our vertebral column. The spinal cord upon impact will swell and secrete chemicals which will cause an inflammatory response and will kill neighboring cells increasing the amount of functioning lost throughout the body. The swelling can also cut off the blood flow to the