What Are the Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury? | eHow

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Nicki Howell

Nicki Howell started her professional writing career in 2002, specializing in areas such as health, fitness and personal finance. She has been published at health care websites, such as HealthTree, and is a ghostwriter for a variety of small health care organizations. She earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Portland State University.

According to the Mayo Clinic, spinal cord injuries involve much of the body. The central nervous system is made up of the brain and the spinal cord, and controls the majority of body functions. The spinal cord runs from the brain to the waist, and carries messages from the brain to the rest of the body. The majority of spinal cord injuries are caused by car accidents, falls or sport injuries. The prognosis of recovery depends on the extent of the damage. But many treatments are available to minimize spinal cord damage and work toward gaining back body functions.

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders, in clinical trials, people who were given the medication Methylprednisolone within the first eight hours after the trauma had better recovery efforts then those who didn't receive the drug. This drug, which decreases inflammation in nerves, can reduce damage.

In addition, patients are often prescribed medications that help manage symptoms associated with the condition. These medications give patients better control of their bladder and bowel movements.

After the injury has occurred, realignment of the spine is needed as soon as possible. This treatment realigns the spine with a brace and minimizes additional damages.

After the event, the patient may also need surgery, which will remove fragments around the spinal cord injury. In addition, vertebra issues may need to be resolved during surgery. According to the Mayo Clinic, some surgeons believe that surgery to resolve these issues should be done as soon as possible.

Treatment for a spinal cord injury includes rehabilitating the muscles to give the patient the best possible mobility. During this process, the therapist will focus on building leg and arm strength, and getting back the fine motor skills that help people complete daily talks. These therapies are typically available at hospitals or rehabilitation medical practices.

According to the Mayo Clinic, recovery for spinal cord injuries can start as soon as a week after the event and for up to six months. If recovery hasn't started within one to two years after the event, the damage is likely to be permanent, and treatment will be focused on giving patients more independence (through rehabilitation) in their daily lives.

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What Are the Treatments for Spinal Cord Injury? | eHow