As with most severe injuries, the care a victim receives immediately after their injury is important. Emergency medical personnel will immobilise a suspected spinal injury to prevent further damage of the spinal cord due to movement by the victim. Emergency spinal treatment will usually include administering steroid drugs to reduce swelling and inflammation. This is done because swelling can further damage the nerves in the spinal cord, worsening the injury.
Spinal injury treatment depends on the severity of the injury. Each injury is unique, and treatment will therefore vary depending on the area of the spine that is injured, the severity of the injury, as well as the preferences of the doctor treating the victim. The biggest problem with choosing spinal cord treatment is that the victims usually suffer what is called ‘spinal cord shock’. This happens when the spinal cord is injured due to trauma, and causes the nervous system to effectively shut down. Spinal cord shock can result in a loss of speech, hearing or sight, as well as loss of movement or sensation in certain areas of the body.
A doctor cannot accurately predict the long term effects of a spinal injury while the spinal cord is in shock. This can wear off in a matter of days, could take a few months, or may never disappear entirely. This is why treatment is not started immediately, as the medical staff has to wait for the shock to wear off so that they can accurately diagnose the symptoms and effects of the injury. This can be a very trying time for partners and families of the victims, as there is no way of telling what damage has been suffered, or what the prospects for recovery are.
Once spinal cord shock has worn off, spinal injury treatment may include traction, spinal stabilisation or surgery. Recovery from spinal injuries usually involves rehabilitation, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. The victim of a spinal injury may need assistance with personal care, particularly if their mobility has been affected.
A spinal injury can be life-changing, especially if permanent damage has been done. Paralysis, disability and permanent physical or mental damage are not uncommon. In addition to physical spinal injury treatment, many victims and their families require counselling to help them in their recovery. Permanent damage may require a lifestyle change that is extremely difficult to cope with, and many victims suffer from depression. The long lasting effects of a spinal injury are challenging to say the least. Many doctors today will insist that spinal injury treatment includes therapy or counselling for both the victim and their family.
Medicine advances every day, and spinal injuries that were considered permanent and untreatable years ago are today considered treatable. Rehabilitation is often successful, and many miracles are achieved daily. With the right spinal injury treatment, some recovery is almost always possible.
