Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)

(THIS WAS AN INFORMATIVE SPEECH I DID FOR MY COM220 CLASS ON THE STAGES OF SPINAL CORD INJURY RESEARCH. IT ACTED AS AN INTRODUCTION TO MY PERSUASIVE SPEECH ON THE BENEFITS OF STEM CELL RESEARCH)

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,

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

A spinal cord injury is defined as any damage done to the spinal cord that causes changes in function. Until recently, there was little knowledge known about the aftermath effects of a post spinal cord injury. Two different research teams decided to test the aftereffects that spinal cord injuries have on the well-being of a person. Both research teams tested the well-being of patients based on a multitude of different factors; such as, religion, gender, income, age and many other factors.

Williams, Margie. Journey to Well: Learning to Live after Spinal Cord Injury. Newcastle, CA: Altarfire Pub., 1997. Print.

In the article “Stem Cell Therapy for Spinal Cord Injury” Neil H Riordan discusses that adult stem cells can treat spinal cord injuries. The spinal cord is a tube like structure that runs from the base of the skull to the end of the spine. If this is injured, it may cause loss of muscle movement, muscle control, sensation and body system control.This is usually caused by motor vehicle accidents, bad falls or sporting accident that fracture and crush the vertebrae. People can cope with their disabilities by going through physical therapy; however, spinal cord injury can be treated with allogeneic human umbilical cord tissue-derived stem cells and autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells. Treatment such as this can be done by injecting a total

Having use of the triceps is a major advantage for these individuals because they have the ability to potentially live independently. The individual should be able to transfer independently by lifting the body up using the arms, and transfers to and from the wheelchair may be accomplished the same way with adequate tricep strength; this is also how they perform pressure relief in the wheelchair. These individuals can be independent in almost all ADLs and self-care including bowel and bladder programs with the use of adaptive equipment. Individuals with this level of injury usually have lack of the ability to produce a forceful cough and clear secretions so an assisted coughing technique may be used to help with respiratory hygiene.9 Driving may be achieved with the use of adaptive hand controls. 5,8 Individuals with this level of injury are usually independent with the use of a manual wheelchair on level surfaces within the home and out in the community, but may require assistance with inclines, curbs, and uneven surfaces and

Spinal cord injury (SCI) represents a major clinical, social and economical problem that has currently no

A Spinal cord injury is a harm to one or all parts of the spinal cord. A spinal cord injury can affect many aspects of a person’s life such as making him weak and unable to perform daily activities. There are two factors that matter when it comes to spinal cord injury: the part of the spinal cord that is affected and the seriousness of the injury. Moreover, the seriousness of a spinal cord disease is distinguished by two terns: complete and incomplete. A spinal cord injury is complete, when it’s hard or become impossible to move the lowest part of the injured spinal cord. On the other hand, a spinal cord injury is incomplete, when it still possible to move the lowest part of your spinal cord even after an injury. Furthermore,

I wrote my paper on sex and disability, primarily with spinal cord injury, also known as SCI. Each spinal cord injury is different and any damage to the spinal cord is a very complex injury and most devastating of all traumatic events. Damage to the spinal cord can occur from either a traumatic injury or from disease to the vertebral column. A person’s injury is described by its level and type, which may result in a loss of some or all of an individual’s sensation and movement. The higher the spinal cord injury is on the vertebral column, or the closer it is to the brain, thus the more affect it has on the body’s movement and what they can feel. More movement, feeling and voluntary control over the body’s system are present with a lower level of injury. People who become

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

The term spinal shock was first defined by Whytt in 1750 as a ‘loss of sensation accompanied by motor paralysis with the initial loss but gradual recovery of reflexes following a spinal cord injury’.

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

Spinal cord injuries not only have a physical effect on the affected person, but they have psychological effects, too. The World Health Organization states that “about 20 to 30% of people with spinal cord injury show clinical significant signs of depression, which in turn has a negative impact on improvements in functioning and overall health” (2015). Many people living with SCIs could be excluded from full participation in society as a