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Diagnosis & Treatment

Spinal Cord Injuries

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How Are Spinal Cord Injuries Diagnosed?

Diagnosis

Spinal cord injuries are most often diagnosed in the emergency room. Symptoms of spinal cord injuries may vary. Doctors will determine the injury’s type, location, and severity and assess its effects on sensation and movement.

Patients may undergo numerous tests to diagnose a spinal cord injury, including:

  • A thorough physical and neurologic examination to see if the injury caused paralysis, pain, numbness, or impaired movement or function
  • X-ray, an imaging test that uses electromagnetic waves to create a picture of the vertebrae
  • Computed tomography (CT) scan, which creates a highly detailed image of spinal structures
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which uses magnetic pulses to create an image of structures and nerves in and around the spine

How Is a Spinal Cord Injury Treated?

Treatments

When someone has a spinal cord injury, emergency medical personnel immediately stabilize the spine to ensure no further damage occurs. The treatment chosen depends on the injury’s type, location, and severity. Immediate goals include preventing shock, maintaining the patient’s ability to breathe, and avoiding complications such as the formation of blood clots. Treatments for spinal cord injuries fall into several categories.

Nonsurgical

In the hospital, a doctor will likely recommend immobilization — using traction with weights to keep the head and neck from moving and help align the spine — especially for cervical spinal cord injuries. The intensive care unit (ICU) team will make sure the patient’s blood pressure remains stable, monitor their heart and lung function, and treat any infections and complications that may arise.

Rehabilitation with physical and occupational therapy treatments can begin while the patient is in the hospital, as soon as they are able to participate in nonsurgical care.

Surgical

Surgery may be needed to remove fragments of bone, to repair ruptured or herniated discs, or to fuse portions of the spine together for stability. This surgery can be very delicate.

Och Spine at NewYork-Presbyterian’s expert surgeons have exceptional experience in this area and use the latest technologies to operate safely and effectively, using minimally invasive techniques whenever appropriate. Surgery usually requires significant follow-up care.

Ongoing care for spinal injuries

Acute treatment for spinal cord injuries is followed by ongoing rehabilitation care, including:

  • Physical and occupational therapy: Exercises are geared toward strengthening muscles around the spine, regaining mobility, and working on motor skills needed for daily life.
  • Medications: Drugs can help manage complications of spinal cord injuries including pain, muscle spasticity, and loss of bladder control.
  • Medical devices: Tools such as wheelchairs and electronic aids can help patients regain mobility and manage complications.

The ultimate goal is to help patients get back to a place of independence.

FAQs

FAQs

Most spinal cord injuries are caused by car accidents and falls.

After a spinal cord injury, nerve signals can be disrupted and sent back to the motor cells of the spine rather than on toward the brain. This causes a twitch, jerk, or spasm in one or more muscles.

Spinal cord injuries disrupt signals sent from the brain to the rest of the body, which can result in an inability to move and control certain limbs or areas of the body.

Nearly 18,000 spinal cord injuries occur in the United States each year.

 

This content has been reviewed by the following medical editors.

Andrew K. Chan, MD

Justin Anthony Neira, MD

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Trust NewYork-Presbyterian for Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

NewYork-Presbyterian has renowned neuro-ICUs to provide specialized critical care services to people with spinal cord injuries. Following acute care, spinal cord injury rehabilitation is an essential component of therapy to help patients regain as much function as possible.

Our spinal experts can efficiently recognize the symptoms of spinal injuries and create an individualized treatment plan to give you the best possible outcome.