What Is Spinal Cord Injury?

Spinal Trauma

In order to understand what is spinal cord injury, we will first explain what is a spinal cord. It is an extension of the brain. It contains high concentrations of sensitive nerve cells that send and receive messages between the body and the brain. Any damage to the spinal cord can have serious consequences, such as paralysis, neuropathic pain or loss of organ function.

The spinal cord contains millions of nerve “intersections” that distribute signals to each part of the body. Depending on the area of the spinal cord that was damaged, the side effects will be determined.

For example, if the region of the spine that contains the nerves that control the muscles of the legs is damaged, it means that there will be a weakness or a complete loss of function in those muscles.

Symptoms of spinal cord injury

-Pressure ulcers.
-Mood changes.
-Chronic pain.
-Difficulty breathing.
-Frequent infections.
-Headaches.
-Incontinence.
-Infertility.
-Muscle pain.
-Nerve pain.
-Paralysis.
-Pneumonia.
-Low libido.

Types of spinal cord injury

Depending on the severity of the injury, there are two main categories that doctors use to describe the condition:

Incomplete spinal section:

It involves damage that has not completely inhibited nerve transmission beyond the site of injury.

Complete medullary section:

Spinal cord damage is severe enough that no nerve signal can pass through the site of the injury.

The location of the spinal injury is important

The nerves leave the brain and go to the spinal cord. They branch off at various points along the way to go to their target organs.

Depending on where the damage to the spinal cord occurs, it will determine which areas of the body will be affected.

Complete damage to the spinal cord will prevent all nerves below the damaged point from receiving or sending messages. Therefore, to classify the level of injury, doctors will evaluate the lowest level of sensation and function of nerves in the spinal cord.

There are four main divisions of the spinal cord: organized according to the spine. The spine begins at the base of the skull and goes to the coccyx.

Causes of spinal cord injury

-Car accidents.
-Wounds by a fire weapon.
-Tumor growths.
-Sport injuries.
-Toxic exposure.
-Ischemic damage (lack of blood supply)

Treatment

Nerve prostheses, mechanical and electronic devices are options to complement or replace lost function at the motor or sensory level.

In the past, most scientists thought that the cells of the central nervous system of the adult were not able to regenerate. Today they affirm that the spinal cord has a very active regeneration mechanism.

Rehabilitation

Exercises and rehabilitative measures must be started immediately. Once stabilized, you should go to rehabilitation centres with qualified personnel in the management of spinal injuries.

Emotional attention is really important due to the fact that it is almost inevitable that you will be in a deep depression because of the loss of control of your own body.

At the London Spine Unit, we have some of the best specialists to diagnose and treat spinal cord injury. Book an appointment to get a checkup.

You might also want to read:

A novel five degree of freedom user command controller in people with spinal cord injury and non-injured for full upper extremity neuroprostheses, wearable powered orthoses and prosthetics.

A novel rodent model of spinal metastasis and spinal cord compression.

Spine and spinal cord injuries–causes and complications.

The validity of administrative data to classify patients with spinal column and cord injuries.

What is a spinal cord?

The spinal cord is an extension of the brain. It contains high concentrations of sensitive nerve cells that send and receive messages between the body and the brain. Any damage to the spinal cord can have serious consequences, such as paralysis, neuropathic pain or loss of organ function.

What are the symptoms of spinal cord injury?

A patient may have the following symptoms: Pressure ulcers, mood changes, chronic pain, difficulty breathing, frequent infections, headaches, incontinence, infertility, muscle pain, nerve pain, paralysis, pneumonia and low libido.

What is the treatment for spinal cord injury?

Nerve prostheses, mechanical and electronic devices are options to complement or replace lost function at the motor or sensory level. In the past, most scientists thought that the cells of the central nervous system of the adult were not able to regenerate. Today they affirm that the spinal cord has a very active regeneration mechanism.

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Truspilot Reviews

2022-06-10

Fabulous service Fabulous service. Mr Akmal truly cares about his patients and how he can improve their quality of life. I would recommend him to anyone with any kind of spinal issue.

Honeywell Paul

2022-06-08

Truly excellent results! I was diagnosed with lumbar stenosis after experiencing increasing pain in both legs. An MRI and consultation carried out at short notice confirmed this. Mr Akmal recommended that a spacer should be inserted in my lower back to correct the problem and release the nerves from the narrowing caused by stenosis. The operation was conducted very professionally and without pain. After the first two weeks the pain started to subside as expected. After 4 weeks I was completely back to normal. The result is exceptionally good and I feel renewed, with no pain whatsoever and a regained posture, ready to resume a normal life. I cannot recommend The London Spine Unit highly enough. They are medical magicians!

c etri

2022-06-06

Sciatica My mother was in absolute agony for more than 3 months due to sciatica. It just came out of nowhere and took her out of action. From working full time she went straight to being bed bound and unable to carry out simplest of actions.The pain was 9/10 and she was bed bound for those three months. Multiple trips to A&E and GP and they wouldn't class it as an emergency therefore they wouldn't do anything about it other than upgrading the painkillers which did next to nothing for my mother. I couldn't bear to watch my mother sleeping on A&E bench in pain for 7 hours, just to be told by doctors that she wouldn't be kept in. I remember her joining her hands and begging the doctors to stop the pain which broke my heart. I then started doing research on google and London spine unit came up with Dr Mo AKMAL's profile and review. First meeting with Dr AKMAL was via ZOOM as my mother was bed bound. Dr AKMAL spoke to me and my mom and told us that this is nothing to worry about and that the pain would be 100% gone.Dr AKMAL assured us to visit the hospital so he could physically inspect my mother and give us the best solution. One trip to the london spine unit and Dr AKMAL advised us that the best solution would be to carry out Minimally invasive disectomy. Dr AKMAL advised that due to my mother being bed bound for a while, steroid injection might not give the result that my mother wishes. Dr AKMAL was very confident and showed us some videos from other patients who had gone through the same ordeal. The biggest thing i noticed between before and after was the smile on the patients face. Dr AKMAL was constantly assuring my mother throughout the meeting that he would take care of her pain and gave her 100% confidence that the result would be delivered.He promised her that she would be walking pain free the same day after the operation. Before the operation Dr GURUNG was consulted multiple times and he also was very helpful. Right after the surgery, as Dr AKMAL promised, my mother was walking and the biggest thing was that the pain was gone. My mother had forgotten to smile for three months and there i saw her smiling again. Dr AKMAL and Dr GURUNG gave us brilliant aftercare and informed us that just give them a ring if there was any issue. Its been several weeks now and my mother is heading towards complete recovery without any issues. The pain is completely gone and anyone who is reading this going through the same horrible sciatica pain you must come and see Dr AKMAL. Thank you Dr AKMAL and your whole team for helping my mom achieve this pain free life.

Frank Otuo

2022-05-18

Extraordinary Care My 81 year old mother who has retired in Ghana was suffering from severe lower back pain so a local surgeon put her through discectomy with hardware (spine screws). The procedure was essentially botched, with one screw breaching her spinal canal resulting in extreme pain; unable to walk, pins and needles and numbness in the left leg. The hardware subsequently had become infected and loosened as a result. Her life after this surgery was the worse she has ever experienced in all her life. She had no doubt that she was eventually to die from the infection and pain. Fortunately, through diligent search, we found Mr Akmal and his team at The UK Spine Centre. She had a zoom consultation and with a ready MRI and CT scan, Mr Akmal knew exactly how to have her back to fitness and a better quality of life. She travelled to England on 26 March 2022 and had the surgery on 11 April 2022. It was a day-case. It lasted no more than 1 hour 30 minutes. She was on my feet within 2 hours pain free - still pain free 5 weeks on! To her this is simply a miracle ! She is grateful to Jehovah God for Mr Akmal and his team - thoroughly professional bunch at the top of their game. No one deserves to suffer the pain she experienced for two years. She seriously recommends Mr Akmal and his team for anything SPINE!

Luke O'Brien

2022-05-18

Bilateral discectomy and dynamic stabilisation for complete foot drop From the first phone call, the team at London Spine have been amazing. I had severe symptoms following an L4/L5 disc injury from playing sports and had complete foot drop. Mr Akmal and his team treated the situation incredibly sensitively, as I had risk of permanent damage. The whole process was so quick, from initial consultation to operation was about 96 hours. On the day of the operation, the nurses couldn’t have been more helpful, attentive and calming. The surgery was flawless, with absolutely zero pain from the operation following. I am now 8 weeks from a bi-lateral discectomy and dynamic stabilisation procedure and have regained full use of my leg and toes, with a complete range of motion also. Mr Akmal’s aftercare has been first class, with regular calls from his team in the 2 weeks following the surgery, to the final consultation and discharge. Thanks so much for giving me my life back

2022-05-09

Excellent treatment Mr Mo Akmal treated me very successfully for 2 torn discs in my back. I was in tremendous pain before I was referred to him. The treatment I received from him was excellent and he communicated with me very well throughout the whole process. I am eternally grateful to Mr Akmal for sorting out my back and would highly recommend him.

shahnaz Choudhury

2022-04-22

I had a massive bulging disk on my back… I had a massive bulging disk on my back compressing my nerve for three years. It caused me excruciating pain and almost left me disabled. I was on both crutches and completely homebound due to the severity of pain and mobility limitations. I had my lumber surgery two weeks ago and walked out of hospital within a few hours pain free on my right leg that was almost paralysing prior to surgery. The disk was shaved off releasing the nerve completely. Two days after surgery I had excruciating pain on my head that is unexplained as I had CT scan and MRI which were all fine. Dr Akmal has suggested it could be from the anaesthetic. I am extremely grateful to Dr Akmal and his very welcoming and cari g team. I would highly recommend his clinic as I have had excellent recovery.

MR HARVEY

2022-04-02

Thank you Mr Aklam After having a poor and very slow experiance in glasgow . I contacted Mr mo Amlam . Who is a true gentleman, great listener and paitent . We transfered my scans and treatments from glasgow to harley street . Mr Aklams p.a arranged a quick zoom to start our contact .I then went down for a meeting and examination and what should have been a spec scan .only to be told of a UK shortage . So 4 weeks later the scan took place in wellington hospital . Before I traveled back to glasgow. 5 days later I got a call to book me in to 19 harley street for a l3 and l4 debridement and stabilisation. The opp took place on 24th March. 2hours I was out walking 4 hours later . My pain in back groin and foot was all gone .thanks to Mr aklam . Top of his craft but more importantly pouts his patients first .he really wants to help you get better. Thank you so much Mr Robert harvey

Ken Carswell

2022-03-22

Amazing service and an amazing treatment! I can't thank Mr Akmal and team at the London Spine Unit enough for their help. I had a herniated disc in my back which was causing pain and restrictions. Compared to other offers of surgery (e.g. several nights in hospital), the day surgery and minimally invasive procedure were hugely appealing. I am now 3 weeks post surgery, have no pain and am recovering incredibly quickly if I compare myself to friends who have had a similar procedure. it was truly remarkable, straightforward and the team were kind, friendly and always helpful. very highly recommended!

customer

2022-03-17

Great service and painless procedure Great service and painless procedure. Definitely alleviated the pain

London Spine Unit Harley Street Hospital

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Our Medical Director and Lead Spinal Surgeon Mr Mo Akmal MD is a world renowned Spine Specialist Consultant with over 20 years of experience. He and his team have developed revolutionary techniques to perform all types of Spinal Surgery as a Day Case procedure without traditional General Anaesthetic.

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