Physical Effects of Spinal Cord Injuries

There are numerous physical implications of a Spinal Cord Injury (SCI); all of them can be catastrophic. They are usually life changing for the individual who sustained it, and to his or her family. An SCI requires both acute care and post-acute rehabilitation.

A Spinal Cord Injury can redefine an individual’s perception of and the reality of his or her independence, self-worth, psychodynamics with others, the ability to attend to his or her own activities of daily living (ADLs) and long-term needs.

Some of the terms and definitions used to describe the physical effects of an SCI include:

• Paraparesis: A slight degree of paralysis affecting the lower extremities.
• Paraplegia: Complete paralysis of both lower extremities and usually of the lower trunk. The upper extremities are usually not affected.
• Quadriparesis: Complete paralysis of all four limbs.
• Quadriplegia: Complete paralysis of all four limbs. It is alternately called tetraplegia.

There are other terms used with respect to SCI to describe the effects of trauma to the spine resulting in neural injury to it:

• Paresis: Partial paralysis.
• Paralysis: Partial or total loss of motor function.
• Parathesia: This is an abnormal sensation, such as of burning or tingling in one or more extremities[1].

SCI can be of two types, complete and incomplete:

• A complete SCI is one that is absolute. That is, it is a total and permanent loss of the ability to send and to receive sensory and motor nerve impulses. Despite its severity, the spinal cord is usually not entirely severed[2]. Still, it often results in the complete and permanent loss of function to the part(s) of the body below the level of the SCI.
• An incomplete SCI is one in which the individual may retain some ability to send and to receive sensory and motor nerve impulses below the level of the SCI. An incomplete SCI can be further divided in this way:

1. Anterior cord syndrome. The usual result of this is that the individual can continue to feel some generalized sensation through the intact pathways of the posterior part of the spinal cord; however, true movement and the ability to feel detailed sensation are lost.
2. Central cord syndrome. This usually results from direct trauma to the spinal cord that causes damages to the large nerve fibers that carry information directly from the cerebral cortex to the spinal cord. Symptoms of this SCI can include:
3. Paralysis or loss of fine motor control in the arms and/or hands, with less leg impairment.
4. Sensory loss below the location of the SCI and loss of bladder control.
5. Other kinds of functional dysfunction requiring rehabilitation and specialized rehabilitation that is consistent with the severity of the trauma.
6. Injuries to a specific nerve root. An injury to a specific nerve root may occur either separately or as part of an SCI. Each nerve root supplies motor and sensory function to a different part of the body. Therefore, the symptoms produced by this type of injury depend upon the pattern of distribution of the specific nerve root involved and makes for a difficult and challenging diagnosis.
7. Spinal concussions. This is a contusion to the spinal cord and can be complete or incomplete. When this type of injury occurs, the resulting dysfunction is usually transient and ordinarily responds fairly quickly to neurorehabilitation. Trauma such as this can cause neurologic problems such as numbness, tingling, electric-shock sensations and burning feeling in the affected extremities.

In an interesting study conducted at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, it was found for the first time that even a single SCI can result in sustained and widespread brain inflammation. In turn, the inflammation can result in the loss of nerve cells and consequent cognitive decline[3].

Once the immediate results of a Spinal Cord Injury have been alleviated by acute care and the individual becomes a Client of NeuLife Rehab in Mount Dora, Florida, he or she undergoes a comprehensive assessment with a Client Goal Plan meeting established for review by the Client, family members, nurse case manager and attorney, if applicable, at an initial Client Goal Plan Conference scheduled less than one week following admission. Each Client Goal Plan includes clinical needs for rehabilitation and covers personal goals and preferences of the Client. Therapies are provided by NeuLife full-time staff who are Florida licensed and/or certified professionals. The professionals include but are not limited to:

• Board Certified Neurologist
• Board Certified Behavior Analyst
• Board Certified Physiatrist
• Neuropsychologist
• Psychologist
• Board Certified Psychiatrist
• Speech Language Pathologist/Cognitive Therapist
• Physical Therapist
• Occupational Therapist
• Nurses
• Certified Rehab Counselor

They and all other members of the NeuLife Rehab multidisciplinary team are devoted to their calling to helping individuals with catastrophic injuries in this highly specialized program. This is fully in keeping with NeuLife’s dedication to consistently provide the highest standard of care in the delivery of clinically relevant services. NeuLife Rehab strives to achieve successful, sustained outcomes and exceed the expectations of all persons served.

Proper and timely post-acute rehabilitation that may determine the difference between disability and independence is what NeuLife refers to as the “platinum post-acute period” —  the crucial window following acute care that is needed to nurture the whole person to health with specialized, clinically relevant services.

NeuLife’s philosophy is that healing, wellness and personal fulfillment are best achieved in a positive and uplifting therapeutic environment where caring staff encourages, assists and supports each client so he or she may achieve specific goals. NeuLife believes personal fulfillment is equally as important as goals to achieve function and independence.

NeuLife, in Mount Dora, Florida, is an accessible residential post-acute program providing specialized rehabilitation to individuals diagnosed with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), Amputations, Burns and other Catastrophic Injuries and Challenging Diagnoses.

2725 Robie Avenue

Mount Dora, Florida 32757

[1] Edward C. Benzel, M.D., Spineuniverse, http://www.spineuniverse.com/conditions/spinal-cord-injury/spinal-cord-injury-sci-aftermath-diagnosis

[2] American Association of Neurological Surgeons, http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Spinal%20Cord%20Injury.aspx

[3] http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-11-spinal-cord-injuries-subsequent-brain.html