Spinal Cord Injury

• Spinal Cord Injury – due to trauma (Road accidents, Fall from height, fall of heavy objects on spine).
• Due to disorders in the blood supply of the spinal cord.
• Spinal Cord Tumors.
• Spinal Cord Infections.
• Blood vessel malformations such as Arterio-venous malformation, aneurysm
• Auto-immune / inflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis.

Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury

• Weakness and numbness of the arms and/or legs
• Decreased / absent sensation – arms, legs and trunk (below the level of injury)
• Tightness of arms, legs and trunk
• Bladder and bowel disturbances
• Disturbances with Swallowing
• Breathing difficulty

Medical complications of spinal injury

• Pressure sores / Bed sores.
• Spasticity – muscle tightness.
• Neuropathic pain.
• Pain along muscles, joints.
• Orthostatic hypotension – fall in blood pressure with change in position especially while standing.
• Urinary tract infections.
• Autonomic Dysreflexia – sudden onset of headache, sweating and flushing.
• Deep vein thrombosis ( blood clot in veins – especially legs).
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in lungs)
• Heterotopic ossification – abnormal bone formation causing limitation with joint movements – commonly hip joints.
• Pneumonia – infection of lung.
• Sexual dysfunction.
• Osteoporosis – weakness of bones.
• Fracture.

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