Symptoms & Signs of Spinal Cord Trauma

Spinal Cord Trauma Simply defined, spinal cord trauma is damage or injury to the spinal cord. Spinal Cord Trauma can cause the patient severe back pain. The reason for spinal cord trauma may vary from person to person and it can take place due to an injury to the cord itself or due to a disease in the tissues, blood vessels as well as surrounding bones in the spinal cord.

The symptoms as well as signs of spinal cord trauma can vary depending upon the location of the injury. However, there are certain symptoms that are usually found in a patient who suffers from spinal cord trauma at any level (cervical, thoracic and lumbar region of the spinal column).

These symptoms are:

  • Weakness and loss of feeling or loss of movement at or below the injured area
  • Spasticity or increased muscle tone
  • Weakness and numbness
  • Back Pain and sensory changes
  • In severe trauma cases the patient may get paralyzed  and even loss normal control on bowel and bladder movements

Diagnosing & Treatment of Spinal Cord Trauma

Spinal cord trauma or injury as any back doctor will tell you is a serious problem that needs immediate medical help. Your back doctor will diagnose the problem with the help of a physical exam that can include neurological and brain exam. He may also order the following tests:

  • CT scan
  • MRI scan
  • Myelogram
  • Spine X-rays

Treatment

It is important that the treatment of spinal injuries be started right away as the time lapse between the treatment and injury can have a profound effect on the outcome.

Non-conservative treatment options include:

  • Medications including corticosteroids like dexamethasone, pain killers and muscle relaxants
  • Spinal tractions and braces
  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational and rehabilitation therapies

Surgery is considered in extremely severe cases. For example – to remove foreign objects or disk and bone fragments and to fuse broken spinal bones.

When to Contact a Back Doctor

Call a doctor immediately if you suffer from a neck or back injury and lose feeling or movement in the injured area. This is a medical emergency and you need immediate help.

Let us help you make the right decision for your spine just fill the form given above or by giving us a call at (888) 779-8716 today.