According to the World Health Organization, each year between 250,000 and 500,000 people around the world suffer from a spinal cord injury, which can leave the person facing a lifetime of debilitating pain. Because the spinal cord transmits information from the brain to the rest of the body, trauma to the spine can cause temporary or permanent damage or pain to multiple parts of the body. Spinal injuries often cause pain when bone changes put pressure on the spinal cord or nerves, but with proper treatment, there is great potential for reduction or elimination of pain.
Your spinal cord and back are a crucial part of the entire body, and without proper treatment, spinal trauma can cause a host of unwelcome health issues. The spine is part of the central nervous system, which is made up of the brain and spinal cord, and relies on the millions of nerves that send messages to the brain that control the body's functions.
The spine is extremely flexible, and it is made up of made up of strong bones, flexible ligaments, tendons, large muscles, nerves, and 26 bone discs called vertebrae, which protect your spinal cord and allow you to stand and bend. Several problems can change the structure of the spine or damage the vertebrae and surrounding tissue.
The leading causes of spinal trauma are car accidents, falls, and diseases. Spinal cord injuries may result from damage to the spinal cord, or from a condition causing degeneration, such as arthritis or cancer. If there is significant damage to the spinal cord it can affect other systems in the body that control your bladder, breathing, heart rate, and blood pressure.
Spinal injuries require immediate care, so it is best to go to your specialist at the first sign of trauma to get proper help, diagnosis, and treatment. Stabilizing the spine is essential to recovery because spine conditions and injuries can cause a lack of mobility, and can make even simple activities like walking or climbing stairs a challenge.
The extent of recovery possible depends on the severity of the issue and the person, and treatments differ by disease, but may include back braces and surgery. In many cases physical therapy can be instrumental in the recovery process.
To learn more about treatment options and recovery from spine trauma, please call OrthoUnited at (844) 469-2663 to request an appointment.