SPINAL CORD INJURIES

• Spinal cord injury defined as injurywithin neural canal from Foramen Magnum to Cauda Equine

• Does not include brachial nor lumbar plexus distally

Condition:

Demographics:

• 10,000 new cases per year• Average age 19.7 yrs old• Males 82% Females 18%• Typical victim white male –

greater proportion of non-Caucasians when compared to general population

37.2% - Auto Accidents

67% of children w/ auto accident SCI were not wearing a seat belt

26.8%Violence

21% - Falls

7.1% Sports Injuries

Diving #1 Sports

Injury

Remaining 7.9% assorted causes

Over 25% of all Spinal Cord Injuries have alcohol as a factor

Signs & Symptoms:

I can’t feel my legs!

Loss of Sensation identified by patient or through testing

Diagnosis:

Prevention:

• Wear Seat Belt ALWAYS

• Use care on ladders or in elevated locations – use the handrail on stairs

• Only dive where you know it is deep enough

Prognosis:Fifty years ago a spinal cord injury meant a sure death within a few years.

Now those having Spinal Cord Injuries

can live a long and productive life.

PARAPLEGIA, QUADRIPLEGIA

Living with a Spinal Cord Injury

• Over 250,000 people living with spinal cord injuries

• Specific health problems need to be monitored

Initial Care

• Save Life – ABCs

• Stabilize spine• Decompress

spine

Rehabilitation

• Physical Therapy to

rehabilitate muscles

• Occupational Therapy to rehabilitate life skills

Chronic Problems of SCI

• Joint Contracture• Pressure Ulceration• GI and GU Management• Autonomic Dysreflexia• Deep Vein Thrombosis• Pulmonary Embolism

Joint Contracture

• Continued movement of affected joints

Pressure Ulceration

• Constant repositioning of affected areas

GI & GU Management

• One-third of all SCI patients rated loss of bowel and bladder function as a greater loss than the use of their legs

Genitourinary Management

• Retention of Waste products

Autonomic Dysreflexia

• Body sends out messages that are incorrect to control centers of brain resulting in errors in homeostasis management

Thrombosis & Embolism

• Blood does not flow normally to a paralyzed limb. The blood pools and forms clots, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis. A clot or thrombus can break free and lodge in smaller arteries in the brain, causing a stroke, or in the lungs, causing pulmonary embolism.

Treatment, Prognosis, Prevention

• Thorough ROS with each appt• Patient Education a must• Watch for clues of problems• Health Maintenance• Find resources for Patient

• BE PROACTIVE!!