What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
Physiotherapy for spinal cord injury in Lancashire. A spinal cord injury is a traumatic or non-traumatic injury to the spinal cord. It is a condition that occurs when there is damage to the spinal cord, which is a bundle of nerves and tissue that runs down the vertebral column (backbone) and plays a crucial role in transmitting signals between the brain and the rest of the body. Spinal cord injuries can result from various causes, including trauma, such as car accidents, falls, or sports injuries, as well as medical conditions like tumours or infections.
The extent and effects of a spinal cord injury depend on the location and severity of the damage. It can lead to a wide range of physical, sensory, and functional impairments, including paralysis, loss of sensation, muscle weakness, and disruptions in bodily functions such as breathing, bladder and bowel control.
Spinal Cord Injuries are classified into two main categories:
Complete Spinal Cord Injury: A total loss of sensory and motor function below the level of the injury. This means that the individual has no sensation or voluntary movement in the affected areas.
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury: Some sensory and motor function remains below the level of the injury. The degree of impairment can vary widely, and individuals may retain some sensation or limited movement in certain parts of their body.
Spinal cord injuries can have a profound impact on a person’s life, and the effects can be permanent. Rehabilitation, medical management, assistive devices, and therapies are often used to help individuals regain function and adapt to their new circumstances. The level of recovery and the long-term outlook for individuals depend on many factors, including the severity of the injury and the effectiveness of treatment and rehabilitation.
How does a Spinal Cord Injury affect the body?
A spinal cord injury can have a profound and complex impact on the body, leading to a range of physical, sensory, and functional changes. The extent and nature of these effects depend on several factors, including the location and severity of the injury.
Paralysis
One of the most significant and well-known effects in paralysis. The injury can result in the loss of voluntary muscle and control and movement below the level of the injury.
Paralysis can be categorised as:
Quadriplegia (Tetraplegia): When the injury occurs in the cervical (neck) region of the spine, it can affect both the arms and legs.
Paraplegia: When the injury occurs in the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions of the spine, it typically affects the legs and lower parts of the body while leaving the upper body intact.
Loss of Sensation
Spinal cord injuries often lead to a loss of sensation below the level of injury. Individuals may experience numbness or reduced sensitivity to touch, temperature, and pain.
Muscle Weakness
Muscles below the level of the injury can weaken due to the loss of neural input from the spinal cord. This weakness can make tasks like walking, standing, or moving limbs difficult or impossible.
Impaired Mobility
Many individuals with spinal cord injuries require mobility aids such as wheelchairs or braces to assist with moving around. Some may regain partial mobility with rehabilitation and specialised equipment.
Loss of Bowel and Bladder Control
The ability to control bowel and bladder function can be affected, leading to incontinence or the need for catheterisation.
Respiratory Complications
Depending on the level of the injury, respiratory function may be impaired. Individuals with high cervical injuries may require ventilatory support.
Blood Pressure Regulation
Some people with spinal cord injuries may have difficulty regulating blood pressure and may experience episodes of low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension) when changing position.
Autonomic Dysfunction
Spinal cord injuries can disrupt the autonomic nervous system, leading to issues like temperature regulation, blood pressure control, and sweating.
Secondary Complications
Individuals with spinal cord injuries are at risk of secondary complications such as pressure sores (bedsores), muscle spasms, contractures, urinary tract infections, and respiratory infections.
Psychological and Emotional Impact
Coping with the physical changes and challenges associated with spinal cord injuries can lead to emotional and psychological difficulties, including depression, anxiety, and changes in self-esteem.
How can we help?
We know that a spinal cord injury can have a huge impact on not just the person with the injury, but also their family. We are experienced in supporting people and their families no matter how the condition occurred, whether it is caused by a sudden incident, or injury like a road traffic accident, or a sports related injury, or from a disease such as Spina Bifida, Transverse Myelitis, Friedreich’s Ataxia, Polio or Multiple Sclerosis.
The treatment will be tailored to suit the individual needs and circumstances of the patient and have opportunities to treat the patient in the comfort of their own home or at our clinic in Nelson.
Physiotherapy for people with a complete spinal cord injury will focus on maintaining comfort, postural management and maintaining joint range of movement. As well as maximising function, independence and quality of life.
Physiotherapy for people with an incomplete spinal cord injury will focus on intense rehabilitation to improve strength, range of movement, postural management and function.
We can also support and work with partners, families and carers to provide Moving and Handling Training. We can assist in the best practice transfer techniques in a safe and comfortable way, whilst maintaining their dignity; promoting independence and minimising discomfort.
Benefits of physiotherapy for those with SCIs:
There are lots of benefits to using physiotherapy to treat Spinal Cord Injuries. Some of the key advantages include:
- Maintained comfort
- Postural management
- Improved joint movement
- Increased independence
- Improved strength
- Increased confidence
We understand that the prospect of treatment can be daunting. To help make your experience as comfortable and as stress-free as possible, our team of therapists will work with you to create a bespoke therapy plan. If you’re interested in learning more about our services, or if you have any questions, please get in touch with our friendly team.
Call 01282 222720 or email info@letsgophysio.co.uk.
Get in touch with a member of our friendly team
Office 3
Northlight Estate
Northlight Parade
Nelson
BB9 5EG
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