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What is the outlook for spinal injury?

The outlook for spinal injury varies, depending on how severe the injury is. If the nerves have been completely severed, there is no way to repair the damage and paralysis will remain for life. If the nerves are not completely severed and movement remains, the person may only experience muscle weakness. Fortunately, most cases of spinal injury are minor and patients recover fully with surgery and rehabilitation and go on to live independent lives.

FAQ Frequently asked questions

What is spinal injury?

Spinal injury is an injury that happens to the bones of the spine (vertebrae), and/or to the spinal cord, the bundle of nerves that runs down the middle of the spine.

What are the symptoms of spinal injury?

Symptoms of spinal injury include a loss of movement, numbness or tingling in the arms or legs, loss of bladder or bowel control, pain or stiffness in the neck and weakness or difficulty walking.

What causes spinal injury?

A common cause of spinal injury is motor vehicle accidents. Other causes include sports injuries, falls, or other accidents such as diving into shallow water.

How is spinal injury diagnosed?

Spinal injury is diagnosed by physical examination and a range of scans, including X-ray, CT or MRI.

How is spinal injury treated?

Immediate first aid for spinal injury is not to move the injured person at all unless absolutely necessary. How spinal injury is treated depends on how severe it is. If the spinal cord is completely severed (cut), then nothing can be done to return the person …

Can spinal injury be prevented?

A person can reduce their risk of spinal injury by wearing a seatbelt, driving safely, avoiding high-impact contact sports and, if playing such sports, only tackling an opponent safely.

Are there different types of spinal injury?

Spinal injury can include injury to the bones of the spine (vertebrae) or to the nerves that run down it (spinal cord). Injury to the spinal cord can result in loss of movement or paralysis, depending on how bad the injury is. If the nerves are …

Is spinal injury serious?

Spinal injury should be treated as a medical emergency. Although most spinal injuries are minor and result in no long-term problems, minor injuries should be treated as severe until diagnosed by a doctor. In cases of severe injury, in which the nerves are …

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About this article

Author: Dr Idan Ben-Barak PhD, MSc, BSc (Med)
First answered: 16 Jul 2015
Last reviewed: 19 May 2018
Rating: 4.9 out of 5
Votes: 1346 (Click smiley face below to rate)
Category: Spinal stenosis

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