Ambulance 912HAP 9252
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General health information

Spinal cord injury

A spinal cord injury damages the spinal cord, changing movement, sensation and automatic bodily functions below the level of injury. After an accident, avoid unnecessary movement of the neck and back and seek emergency care. Living with a spinal cord injury requires specialist rehabilitation and ongoing attention to breathing, skin, bladder, bowel, blood pressure, pain, sexuality and mental health.

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  • A spinal cord injury involves complete or partial damage to the spinal cord and affects more than walking alone.
  • After an injury with neurological symptoms: call 912, make the situation safe and avoid unnecessary movement of the neck and back.
  • Tetraplegia affects the arms and legs after an injury in the neck; paraplegia affects the trunk and legs after a lower injury. Function varies widely.
  • Rehabilitation focuses on independence, health, participation, equipment, relationships and quality of life.
  • Daily prevention of pressure injuries, lung problems, blood clots and bladder or bowel complications is part of medical care.
  • Autonomic dysreflexia can quickly become life-threatening and needs a personal emergency plan.

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Further reading

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B
Broken vertebraA broken vertebra, one of the bones of the spine, may result from a serious accident, but also from osteoporosis after a small movement or fall. Some fractures are stable; others may threaten the spinal cord or nerves. Keep someone as still as possible after major trauma, and have new weakness, loss of sensation, breathing problems or loss of bladder or bowel control assessed immediately.
S
Spinal stenosisIn spinal stenosis, the space for the spinal cord or nerve roots becomes smaller. In the lower back, this often causes leg pain, tingling or weakness when standing and walking that eases with sitting or bending forwards; in the neck, pressure on the spinal cord may cause clumsy hands and walking difficulties. Inability to urinate, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness around the anus and genitals is an immediate emergency.
P
PolyneuropathyPolyneuropathy means that several nerves outside the brain and spinal cord are damaged, often first in the feet and later in the hands. Diabetes, alcohol, vitamin deficiency, medicines and inherited diseases are possible causes. Rapidly ascending weakness or breathing problems require emergency care.