Category Archives: Spinal Cord Injury Treatment

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Diagnosis In the emergency room, a doctor may be able to rule out a spinal cord injury by careful inspection and examination, testing for sensory function and movement, and by asking some questions about the accident. But if the injured person complains of neck pain, isn't fully awake, or has obvious signs of weakness or neurological injury, emergency diagnostic tests may be needed Continue reading →

Answers to Common Questions About Spinal Cord Injuries Shepherd Center knows that you and your loved ones have many questions about spinal cord injury. Continue reading →

The spinal cord is a long, thin, tubular structure made up of nervous tissue, that extends from the medulla oblongata in the brainstem to the lumbar region of the vertebral column. It encloses the central canal of the spinal cord that contains cerebrospinal fluid. Continue reading →

Overview A spinal cord injury damage to any part of the spinal cord or nerves at the end of the spinal canal (cauda equina) often causes permanent changes in strength, sensation and other body functions below the site of the injury. If you've recently experienced a spinal cord injury, it might seem like every aspect of your life has been affected. Continue reading →

Spinal cord injuries can be devastating leading to partial or complete paralysis. Continue reading →

Update: January 2018 Background information:One of the biggest issues preventing recovery after achronicspinal cord injury is the scar that appears a few days or weeks after the injury and prevents any axon from growing away from the lesion area. One of the key scar reduction strategies involves using the Chondroitinase enzyme. In this chapter we are also covering the therapeutic strategies that are used to neutralize growth inhibitors (often referred to as NoGo) after the spinal cord injury, and /or promote nerve growth. Continue reading →

The World Health Organisation estimates that between 250,000 and 500,000 people in the world suffer some form of spinal cord injury (SCI) every year. The United States alone, according to figures published by the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Centre records 54 cases per million population, which translates to 17,000 new SCI cases every year, with the current number of SCI survivors (in the US) exceeding the quarter million mark. Most spinal cord injuries can be attributed to accidents (both traffic and otherwise), falls and to acts of violence. These can be termed as traumatic causes and account for a full 90% of Spinal Cord Injury cases. Disease, degeneration and other causes account for the other 10%. Although we are conditioned to think of the spinal cord as a single unit, the truth is that it is a column of nerves encased in a fatty substance known medically as a myelin sheath. This column is anchored by 33 vertebrae. The Spinal Cord can further be divided into 4 major regions. This sub-division serves to give a more accurate diagnosis in case of injury and is crucial to subsequent management therapies and treatments. From the top, the first region of the … Continue reading →

According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, as many as 450,000 people in the U.S. are living with a spinal cord injury (SCI). Other organizations conservatively estimate this figure to be about 250,000. The spinal cord is about 18 inches long, extending from the base of the brain to near the waist. Many of the bundles of nerve fibers that make up the spinal cord itself contain upper motor neurons (UMNs). Spinal nerves that branch off the spinal cord at regular intervals in the neck and back contain lower motor neurons (LMNs). Types and Levels of SCI The severity of an injury depends on the part of the spinal cord that is affected. The higher the SCI on the vertebral column, or the closer it is to the brain, the more effect it has on how the body moves and what one can feel. More movement, feeling and voluntary control are generally present with injuries at lower levels. Tetraplegia (a.k.a. quadriplegia) results from injuries to the spinal cord in the cervical (neck) region, with associated loss of muscle strength in all four extremities. Paraplegia results from injuries to the spinal cord in the thoracic or lumbar areas, resulting in … Continue reading →

Doctors and researchers are working perilously toward advancements in the treatment of brain and spinal cord injuries. In recent years, groundbreaking new technologies have been developed, decreasing the rates of fatality, and giving hope for future advancements that are still to be uncovered. While there is still no assured way to reverse damage to the spinal cord, opportunities such as promoting cell regeneration and other ways to improve nerve function, are promising forms of treatment for improving the patient's quality of life. The brain and spinal cord are responsible for creating and carrying messages and information throughout the entire body. They are arguably two of the most important parts of the human anatomy, and as such, damage can be devastating and irreparable. It is understandable to feel helpless in the face of such a severe injury, but there are a few steps that you can take on your own to impact the prognosis. These types of injuries require immediate medical assistance. Timing is crucial not only to hinder further damagebut ultimately to promote survival. In the event of abrain or spinal cord injury, the patient will be immobilized on a board to stabilize the neck collar and prevent further damage, … Continue reading →