FIRST AID (Spinal Cord Injury )

Overview
• Spinal cord injury is otherwise called 'myelopathy'
• It results in an injury to the nerve fibers in the cord
• Can cause loss of physical sensation and mobility
• Spinal cord remains intact in most of the injuries
• Complete injury causes no movement/sensation below injury
• Incomplete injury-retains some movement/sensation below injury
• Physical therapy, ventilators, wheel chairs often required
Causes
• Automobile accidents
• Diving accidents
• Falls
• Shot by a gun
• Conditions like
a. Polio
b. Tumor
c. Spina Bifida
d. Friedreich's Ataxia
Symptoms
• Loss of sensation
• Loss of motor functions
• Loss of bowel/bladder functions
• Sexual function can get affected
• Loss of involuntary functions, like breathing
• Inability to control rate of heart beat
• Inability to sweat
• Chronic pain
Treatment
Seek medical help or call for an ambulance as soon as possible. Meanwhile-
• Move the person, if surrounding is not safe
• Immobilize the head, neck and body on both sides
• Movements may dislocate vertebra and cause further injury
• If there is no sign of breathing, perform CPR
• Do not tilt head backward during CPR
Prevention
• Always wear a seat belt while driving
• Use special seat belts for children and babies
• Do not drink and drive
• Do not dive into a shallow pool area