Do you have back pain? How long have you had it? Do you regularly engage in risky activities like motorcycling or motocross? Do you spend long hours working at a desk?
Any of these factors can contribute to your chances of a spinal injury. But it’s not always clear what caused this injury, and those who suffer from it don’t always receive the support they need.
What are spinal injuries? Learn more about the types of spinal injuries and how to help yourself or a loved one who lives with one below!
Cervical Spinal Injury
Spinal injuries include a vast range of injuries that can present various symptoms, including disruption of motor and sensory functions. Cervical spinal injury, in particular, is damage to the cervical spine (neck), and it is the most common type of spinal injury. These injuries can affect a person’s neck movement, strength, accuracy, and coordination.
Typical manifestations of the injury include quadriplegia, paraplegia, Brown-Sequard syndrome, and meningocele. Other symptoms include disruption of pulse, reflexes, sensation, and balance.
Diagnosis is typically achieved through a combination of physical examination and imaging tests, including MRI and CT scans. In more severe cases of spinal cord injury, surgery may be necessary to restore function. If you are looking for the best doctors for your surgery, orthopedic doctors in northwest indiana can help you out.
Thoracic Spinal Injury
A thoracic spinal injury is an injury of the region of your spine located between your lumbar spine and your neck. Symptoms can range from paralysis and loss of motor skills to chronic pain and fatigue.
Spinal rehabilitation or treatment may include physical therapy, pain management, and orthopedic surgery. With proper management and care, individuals can still enjoy a full and independent life.
Lumbar Spinal Injury
Lumbar Spinal Injury is one of the most common types of spinal injury. It is a type of injury that affects the lower back and can cause extreme pain, as well as difficulty walking, sitting, and standing.
Common causes of lumbar spinal injury include lifting heavy objects, trauma, or a fall. Common symptoms include numbness or tingling in the legs, pain in the back and buttocks, and instability while standing or walking.
Treatment includes rest, physical therapy, medication, or surgery. Individuals need to consult a doctor to diagnose and treat the injury to avoid further complications correctly. It is also important to know the disability benefits for back impairments.
Sacral Spinal Cord Injury
Sacral spinal cord injury (SSCI) is a form of SCI that affects the area of the spine located between the lumbar spine and the sacrum. This type of injury is typically caused by excessive pressure placed on the sacral joints.
It can cause severe neurological deficits that impact virtually every part of the body. These can include the loss of bladder and bowel control, loss of sensation and movement in the lower body and feet, lower limb paralysis, and sexual dysfunction.
Learn About the Types of Spinal Injuries
Spinal injuries can come in many forms and magnitudes, from minor sprains to debilitating breaks and damage. It is critical to seek professional medical attention to diagnose and treat various types of spinal injuries properly.
If you feel as if you have a spinal injury, do not hesitate to seek help from an experienced healthcare professional for your health and well-being.
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