An acute spinal cord injury is a potentially life-altering injury that happens when there is damage, bruising, nerve compression, or distortion of the spinal cord. The spinal cord is a conglomeration of nerves that extends from the brain to the lower back, facilitating the transmission of information between the brain and the rest of the body. Spinal cord damage may disrupt the transmission of signals, resulting in a loss of function below the site of the lesion, including the inability to move one’s legs.

Different types of Acute Spinal Cord Injury

The severity of an acute SCI is determined by the magnitude of the damage inflicted upon the spinal cord.

Acute spinal cord damage may be classified into two types:

• Incomplete spinal cord injury: It refers to an injury that does not fully sever the spinal cord.
• Complete spinal cord injury: It refers to a situation when the spinal cord is entirely severed, leading to a complete loss of sensation and movement below the site of the damage, ending in paralysis.

Causes of an Acute Spinal Cord Injury

 There are several factors that might lead to spinal cord injury (SCI). Most often, injuries occur when the spinal or cervical region is flexed or squeezed, as in the following situations:

• Descends abruptly
• Motor vehicle incidents, including collisions involving automobiles, motorbikes, and pedestrians being hit
• Athletic injuries
• Incidents involving diving
• Incidents with trampolines
• Acts of physical aggression, such as injuries caused by firearms or sharp objects
• Spinal cord abscesses are infections that result in the accumulation of pus.
• Neonatal trauma mostly impacts the cervical region of the spinal cord.

Signs and Symptoms of an Acute Spinal Cord Injury

 The symptoms of spinal cord injury (SCI) differ based on the extent and specific site of the injury. Initially, the individual may experience spinal shock. This results in the impairment of sensation, motor function, and reflexes below the site of the damage. Spinal shock typically ranges from a few hours to a few weeks. As the shock diminishes, further symptoms manifest. The outcome of this situation is contingent upon the specific site of the damage.

The severity of symptoms increases as one moves further up the spinal cord in cases with SCI such as:

• C2 or C3 spinal injury: The second and third vertebrae are part of the spinal column. This impacts the respiratory muscles and their capacity to facilitate respiration.
• Lumbar vertebrae injury can impact the regulation of nerves and muscles of the bladder, intestines, and lower extremities.
• Quadriplegia is a neurological condition characterised by the total absence of both motor function and sensory awareness in the arms and legs.
• Triplegia is a condition characterised by impaired mobility and sensation in one arm and both legs.

Conclusion

Acute SCIs lead to a reduction or absence of movement, sensation, and bodily organ function below the site of the damage. The greater the location of the lesion in the spinal column, the more intense the symptoms become. The initial management of SCIs is contingent upon the specific site and extent of the trauma. Certain individuals can recover from non-surgical treatment, while others may need surgical intervention.

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