03-29-2010, 05:16 PM
Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are one of the most serious consequences of high speed accidents or sporting activities, a rare but devastating injury which can also occur after infections, tumours or ischaemic damage. The largest risk group are younger people due to their propensity to perform risky activities but a person of any age can suffer from SCI. Car and motorcycle accidents account for the highest proportion of injuries and due to the complicated picture after this injury a multi-disciplinary team of professionals is vital to ensure the patient reaches the highest level of independence for their particular condition. The terms quadriplegia and paraplegia are used to describe the resulting disability.
The initial medical evaluation is performed to establish the respiratory status of the patient and deal with any other of the likely multiple injuries. Once the patient is stabilised the doctors try and work out the level in the spine where the damage has occurred, an important fact as it relates closely to medical and therapy management. A low lumbar fracture will have no effect on the arms or the ability to breathe so the patient will have good trunk and arm power and the aerobic ability to develop independence. Cervical and upper thoracic injuries impair the respiratory ability of the patient and limit arm function, making rehabilitation much harder.
The first thing to establish is the level of the injury, a diagnosis that is very important as it indicates the whole path of medical and physiotherapy management. If the spine is fractured low down in the back there should be few, if any, respiratory consequences and the patient will have full power in their arms and chest to achieve independence. If the injury is high, in the thorax or the neck, this may compromise the patient's ability to breathe spontaneously and will mean a much more difficult rehabilitation period with limited independence overall.
The initial medical evaluation is performed to establish the respiratory status of the patient and deal with any other of the likely multiple injuries. Once the patient is stabilised the doctors try and work out the level in the spine where the damage has occurred, an important fact as it relates closely to medical and therapy management. A low lumbar fracture will have no effect on the arms or the ability to breathe so the patient will have good trunk and arm power and the aerobic ability to develop independence. Cervical and upper thoracic injuries impair the respiratory ability of the patient and limit arm function, making rehabilitation much harder.
The first thing to establish is the level of the injury, a diagnosis that is very important as it indicates the whole path of medical and physiotherapy management. If the spine is fractured low down in the back there should be few, if any, respiratory consequences and the patient will have full power in their arms and chest to achieve independence. If the injury is high, in the thorax or the neck, this may compromise the patient's ability to breathe spontaneously and will mean a much more difficult rehabilitation period with limited independence overall.