What is a Spinal Cord Injury?
A spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs as a result of damage to the spinal cord either following a traumatic event or due to a disease process. This injury can cause a complete or incomplete tear of the spinal cord and will result in loss of power and feeling below the level of the injury. An incomplete tear results in varying levels of weakness and altered sensation and one side of the body can be more affected than the other. A complete tear affects both sides of the body and there is no active movement or sensation below the level of the injury.
Typical common causes of damage to the spinal cord, are trauma (car/motorcycle accident, gunshot, falls, sports injuries, etc.), or disease (Transverse Myelitis, Polio, Spina Bifida, Friedreich’s Ataxia, spinal cord tumour, spinal stenosis, etc.). The resulting damage to the spinal cord is known as a lesion, and the paralysis is known as quadriplegia or quadraplegia / tetraplegia if the injury is in the cervical (neck) region, or as paraplegia if the injury is in the thoracic, lumbar or sacral region.
What is a Complete and Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury?
There are typically two types of lesions associated with a spinal cord injury, these are known as a complete spinal cord injury and an incomplete spinal cord injury. A complete type of injury means the person is completely paralysed below their lesion. Whereas an incomplete injury, means only part of the spinal cord is damaged. A person with an incomplete injury may have sensation below their lesion but no movement, or visa versa. There are many types in incomplete spinal cord injuries, and no two are the same.
How Can Neurological Physiotherapy Help You?
Recovery from an incomplete spinal cord injury can continue for years and rehabilitation can be beneficial for a long period following the onset of the injury. Ongoing skilled neurological physiotherapy can maximise the person’s recovery and help them achieve optimal functioning.
heads up! Neurological treatment can help you with your walking, balance and posture. During treatment, we can also give you advice on a tailored home exercise programme and on the most effective equipment and aids tailored to your individual rquirements.
The Benefits of Neuro-physio Treatment Following a Spinal Cord Injury
A complete spinal cord injury can often be successfully managed by the person affected alone, but the continuing occasional input of a skilled neurological physiotherapist can help progress towards movement goals (e.g sports, stairs and transfers) and help reduce the occurrence of any secondary complications (e.g. contractures, chest infections, stiffness).
heads up! specialist neurological treatment helps to:
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If you would like to find out more about how we treat spinal cord injury, please contact Sally Watt, our Practice Manager, on (01306) 888171.