Spinal injuries are also known as spinal trauma in medical terminology. Ligaments, nerves, spinal cord, discs and muscles can all be affected.
What is a spinal injury?
A distinction is made between the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine in a spinal injury. The most common form of spinal trauma is a distortion, which is a twisting of the spine in which neither bone nor spinal cord is affected. Spinal trauma usually occurs as a result of an accident and can result in sprains, contusions or even fractures of vertebral bones. Normally, these vertebral bones are quite stable – but in traffic accidents, where a lot of pressure is applied, they can easily be injured. People with osteoporosis are also particularly at risk, as their bones are already unstable. Spinal trauma goes well in most cases, with only 15 to 20 percent of cases resulting in injury to the spinal cord. This, in turn, can lead to paralysis in the worst cases.
Causes
The main causes of spinal trauma are injuries sustained during sports or car accidents. In both, there is a lot of pressure on the spine that can lead to spinal trauma. Most often, car accidents involve what is known as whiplash of the cervical spine, which does not cause pain until hours after the accident. Sudden overstretching or straining of the spine can also lead to spinal trauma.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
With an existing spinal injury, there are usually always very clear symptoms and signs that can point to it. Of course, pain is clearly the primary concern with such an injury. The affected person will feel a sharp pain immediately after the injury, which may persist even at rest. Other symptoms, of course, depend on the severity of the existing spinal injury. In particularly severe cases, of course, there will also be swelling in the spine. Anyone who forgoes a visit to the doctor at this point is taking a very big risk. The pain will increase considerably, so that in particularly bad cases there may even be permanent consequential damage. Often there is also severe swelling in this context, if there is a fracture of the spine. Of course, in such a case, a doctor should be consulted immediately to eliminate any symptoms that may occur. All injuries to the spine should always be examined by a doctor. In the case of an existing injury of this type, the entire range of motion is severely restricted, so it is imperative that appropriate treatment be provided. Otherwise, the pain will worsen and permanent consequential damage may occur that cannot be effectively treated afterwards.
Diagnosis and course
In the case of spinal trauma, back pain naturally occurs first and foremost. These usually arise very suddenly immediately after the accident. Now an appropriate diagnosis must be made and it must be determined whether it is merely a twisting of the spine or a vertebral fracture. The latter is usually clearly palpable. If the spinal cord has not been affected, patients can usually move again without pain after a few days. However, if the spinal cord has been damaged, healing takes weeks or even months. A small proportion of patients can no longer move at all and remain paraplegic.
Complications
A spinal injury can cause a range of symptoms and complications, depending on the extent of the injury. Harmless injuries to the muscles may occur, but serious vertebral fractures can also occur. If a fracture of the vertebral bodies occurs, fragments of the bones can shift and cause injury to the nerve roots and spinal cord. Severe spinal injuries also usually cause movement disorders and other neurological symptoms. For example, sensory disturbances such as numbness, tingling or paralysis may occur in the arms and legs. If the spinal cord is severed, a spinal injury can result in circulatory failure, loss of bladder and bowel control, and other complications. If the injured person is transported improperly, the injury may be aggravated.During surgical treatment, there is a risk of injuring the spinal cord or nerve cords in the area of the back. In addition, inflammations can occur. Poor wound healing can lead to the formation of aesthetically unattractive scars. This can result in permanent sensory disturbances. There is also a risk that the injured vertebral body may become detached again and have to be straightened in another surgical procedure.
When should you see a doctor?
If pain or health irregularities develop in the spine after an accident, fall, or force, a doctor should be alerted. In particularly acute cases, an ambulance service should be contacted. Until their arrival, persons present should provide first aid measures to stabilize the health condition of the affected person. Action is required in the event of paralysis, restricted mobility and sensitivity to pressure. If the usual movements can no longer be performed without discomfort or if all movements are delayed, medical examinations must be performed. Pain, changes in skin appearance and a sudden decrease in physical performance are cause for concern. A doctor is needed so that clarification of the causative disorder can take place. Especially in the case of complaints of the spine, a visit to the doctor is necessary as soon as possible, so that long-term damage or secondary diseases can be avoided as far as possible. Often, acquired damage in the area can no longer be completely corrected in the long term. Therefore, a visit to the doctor for a check-up should be made even in the case of slight irregularities in the area of the back. In this way, possible risks will be assessed and evaluated. If the affected person can no longer move areas of his body at all and sudden incontinence occurs, an emergency situation exists. In these cases, immediate action must be taken and an emergency physician must be informed.
Treatment and therapy
Because a spinal injury is usually caused by an accident, appropriate initial treatment is necessary at the scene. Especially if the patient has sensory disturbances or even signs of paralysis, he or she should not be allowed to stand up under any circumstances. In this case, the spinal cord could be injured – a wrong movement can cause a complete severing of the spinal cord. The appropriate transport is also decisive for the course of the disease or for the further chances of recovery. Of course, the type of spinal trauma determines the subsequent treatment or therapy. In mild cases, i.e. when no vertebrae or spinal cord are injured, so-called conservative therapy is usually sufficient. This usually consists of heat or cold applications, or the immobilization of the spine. If a vertebral bone is fractured, it is surgically straightened. If this is not done, individual pieces of vertebrae could reach the spinal cord and sever it. Medical nails and screws are used to fix and stabilize the vertebrae in the best possible way. If the spinal cord has already been completely severed in the accident, however, surgery usually cannot help either and the patient remains paraplegic. The treatment of a spinal trauma is usually followed by extensive rehabilitation. This aims to relax the back and its muscles. Massages and back training are the optimal therapeutic measures here. X-rays and computer tomography also provide information about what type of injury it is and how it can best be treated.
Prevention
It is almost impossible to prevent spinal trauma, as it is usually the result of an accident. Therefore, one should exercise caution in appropriate sports. Climbing or paragliding are the sports in which a spinal injury is particularly common. So-called spine protectors are also commercially available, which are intended to protect motorcyclists in the event of an accident, for example. The spine has a very complex structure and is therefore a particularly sensitive part of the skeleton. An injury to the vertebrae can lead to permanent damage, and the mobility of the affected bones is restricted. There is a risk of vertebral stiffening. If the spinal cord is also injured, this leads to paralysis or neurological deficits.Follow-up care for spinal trauma is essential to prevent permanent damage or to minimize damage.
Aftercare
Injuries range from comparatively minor to irreversible. Aftercare depends on the severity of the spinal trauma. Especially after spinal surgery, a physician must consistently monitor the patient’s condition over an extended period of time. In most cases, spinal injuries require a stay in rehab for several weeks. Nevertheless, complete healing after a spinal trauma is hardly possible despite medical treatment. If injured vertebrae have been surgically stiffened, the sufferer learns how to deal with the new situation in everyday life during aftercare. The consequences of a spinal injury are particularly stressful for the affected person at the beginning of his or her medical history. Concurrent psychological care can have a positive effect on his mental state.
What you can do yourself
A spinal injury should first be clarified by a physician. The most important self-help measure is rest. Spinal trauma indicates a serious injury that should not be further aggravated by sports. Affected individuals should reduce sports activity until the cause of the trauma is determined. If in doubt, the physician can recommend appropriate treatment. Massages and measures from Chinese medicine or yoga can additionally help. The attending physician decides how a spinal trauma must be treated in detail. If necessary, other specialists such as the physiotherapist or a sports physician must be consulted. A spinal injury requires good cooling. For example, cold packs can be applied or curd compresses used to relieve pain. Gentle loosening exercises also contribute to a speedy recovery. In consultation with the doctor, natural painkillers can also be tested. Naturopathy offers, for example, calendula ointment or preparations with St. John’s wort, which relieve the pain in a natural way. The diet does not necessarily have to be changed in the case of a spinal injury. However, attention should be paid to a healthy and balanced diet so that the body can recover quickly.