Spinal cord Disorders
A spinal cord injury is any type of damage to the spinal cord, which can be caused by trauma or by an underlying issue like a tumor, a stroke, or a neurological condition. This can disrupt communication between the brain and the rest of the body and have lasting effects on movement, sensation, and essential bodily functions.
The spinal cord is a bundle of nerve fibres and neurons, which is protected by bones called vertebrae. These nerves branch out throughout the body and are divided into four sections, depending on where the nerves lead.
- Cervical – the upper portion of the spine in the neck, with nerves to the arms
- Thorax (also called thoracic) – the middle of the spine, with nerves to the torso
- Lumbar – the lower portion of the spine in the lower back, with nerves to the top and front of the legs
- Sacral – the bottom of the spine, with nerves to the back of the legs, bowels, bladder, and sexual function
The spinal cord itself ends a little above the bottom of your spine in the lumbar region. Below this point, a bundle of nerves called the cauda equina continues downward to send signals to the lower parts of the body.
Types of spinal injuries
How a spinal injury affects you depends on the location and level of damage.
- Tetraplegia describes injuries in the cervical region, which impact all four limbs
- Paraplegia describes injuries in the thorax region or lower, impacting the legs, but not the arms or hands
- A complete spinal injury is where there is a complete loss of movement and sensation below the injury
- An incomplete spinal injury is where there is still some level of movement and feeling below the injury
No matter the type of spinal injury, recovery can be a gradual and ongoing process. We understand this may feel overwhelming at times for you and your family. That’s why we have a multidisciplinary team of specialists who provide exceptional support and clarity every step of the way.
At Affidea neuraCare, you’ll receive personalized care from a world-class team who specialize in treating and rehabilitating people with spinal conditions. With expert assessments and tailored care, we work to bring you the full potential of modern medicine to help you and your family adapt and live well.
Read on to learn more about spinal cord conditions, including causes and symptoms, and discover specialist assessments and exceptional care at Affidea neuraCare.
A spinal cord injury can happen suddenly due to physical trauma or develop gradually because of an underlying medical condition. Understanding the root cause is an important part of diagnosis and guides the most appropriate treatment and recovery plan.
Traumatic spinal injury
Traumatic spinal injuries happen when a sudden force hits the spine and fractures, dislocates, or squeezes the bones in the spine, called vertebrae. According to the World Health Organization, around 9 in 10 spinal injuries are due to trauma.
Common causes of this type of injury include:
- Road traffic accidents
- Falls – especially among older adults and people with conditions that increase the likelihood of falls and fractures, including ankylosing spondylosis and osteoporosis
- High-impact or contact sports
- Violence or assault, such as knife or gunshot wounds
These injuries typically need immediate medical attention at the hospital to prevent further damage to the spine. Following acute treatment, many people may need ongoing rehabilitation and care to help them adjust to life after their injury.
Non-traumatic spinal injury
Non-traumatic spinal injuries happen as a result of an underlying health condition that puts pressure on the spinal cord (compression) or causes it to degenerate or scar. This type of damage tends to occur gradually, especially if the health condition is left untreated.
Common conditions that can cause damage to the spinal cord include:
- Spinal tumors – which may have begun in the spine or spread to it
- A syrinx of the spinal cord – a small gap in the spinal cord filled with spinal fluid that can enlarge and start to press on and damage the nerves
- Neurological conditions, including multiple sclerosis, transverse myelitis, or hereditary spastic paraplegias
- Spinal infections, such as abscesses or meningitis
- Degenerative spinal conditions, such as spinal stenosis, a herniated disc, or myelopathies, including cervical myelopathy
- Vascular disorders, including abnormalities in spinal blood vessels such as malformations or fistulas, and spinal strokes
- Birth defects, such as spina bifida, where the spine does not form correctly in the womb
For many of these conditions, treatment plans include rehabilitation to support recovery from the spinal injury alongside medical treatment for the underlying health condition to prevent further damage.
How a spinal injury affects you depends on the location and severity of the injury. Some symptoms may appear suddenly, especially in traumatic injuries, while others may develop over time. Depending on the level of injury, changes can be temporary or permanent.
In non-traumatic spinal injuries, symptoms often appear at the same time as symptoms linked to the underlying health condition. This may make them more difficult to notice, which is why it’s important to understand the signs to look out for.
Common signs of a spinal injury include:
- A loss or reduction of movement in the legs, leading to difficulties with walking, coordination, and balance
- Reduced movement or weakness in the torso, hands, or arms
- Changes in sensation, such as numbness, tingling or a reduced ability to feel touch, temperature, or pain
- Pain or pressure, particularly in the impact area, or around the neck, back, or spine – this can feel like shooting pains in children
- Muscle spasticity, such as spasms, cramps, stiffness, or rigidity
- Bowel and bladder problems, including needing to go more often, being unable to go when you feel like you need to, or struggling to control your bladder or bowels
- Sexual problems, such as reduced or no sensation and arousal, or difficulty having and maintaining an erection
As many people have reduced movement or need to stay in bed to recover, spinal injuries also increase the risk of other complications. These include bed sores (also called pressure ulcers), bladder infections, pneumonia, or deep vein thrombosis. More severe spinal injuries can also impact breathing, heart rate and blood pressure regulation.
Although a spinal injury can bring significant challenges, you don’t have to face it alone. With a tailored coordinated care plan, many people can discover new strengths, reconnect with their interests, and move forward with confidence.
Early and accurate diagnosis of spinal cord injuries is crucial to minimize long-term damage. A specialist assessment builds a complete picture of the existing damage and underlying causes, including trauma or conditions.
The main diagnostic methods for spinal cord injuries are imaging scans. They provide clear pictures of the spinal cord structure, which neurologists use to identify the precise location and se verity of the damage. For traumatic spinal injuries, this is usually done at the hospital or trauma center to help plan acute care, often involving surgery to stabilize the spine and prevent further injury.
A spinal injury assessment typically involves:
- A detailed consultation and assessment with your neurologist to discuss your symptoms and medical history, including a neurological examination to assess muscle strength, reflexes, coordination, and sensation
- An MRI scan, CT scan, or X-ray to identify evidence of damage from trauma or disease – sometimes called spinal lesions
- Pathology tests to check for evidence of infections or other underlying health conditions, such as blood tests or a lumbar puncture
If your neurologist suspects an underlying health condition, you may have other tests to investigate this further, such as EMG and nerve conduction studies.
Spinal cord injuries and their treatment can be complex, which is why a thorough assessment by a neurologist with specialist knowledge of spinal cord injuries can make a difference. Their deep expertise can help make sure your diagnosis is accurate and that your treatment is built around your needs, priorities, and long-term wellbeing.
Whether your spinal injury was traumatic or non-traumatic, long-term management and rehabilitation play a central role in helping people regain skills, build confidence, and adapt to life after an injury.
Spinal injuries can affect people in several ways beyond the physical injury. That’s why specialist rehabilitation supports you as a whole person. It focuses not only on the physical challenges, but also the emotional and psychological difficulties that can come after a spinal injury.
Rehabilitation plans typically include:
- Consultations and assessments to create a full picture of your health before treatment, discuss your rehabilitation plan and goals, and follow-ups to monitor your progress
- Medication to help you cope with symptoms, such as pain and spasticity, as well as to treat and manage the underlying health condition if you have one
- Neurological Botox to treat symptoms of muscle spasticity and excess saliva
- Neuropsychology involves expert support to help you understand and manage the emotional impact of the injury
- Occupational therapy to help adapt your lifestyle around your injury, including changes to your home or adapting how you do familiar tasks
- Supportive care involves ongoing emotional and practical support for you, your family and caregiver, such as counselling, condition education, and peer support.
Specialist rehabilitation after a spinal injury helps people rebuild confidence and discover new strengths. With the right support, many people can return to school or work, re-engage with the things they enjoy, and live well with loved ones following their injury.
