An injury to the spinal cord is typically permanent and irreversible, but there are still a variety of treatments that can be used to limit the damage and help patients recuperate to the best of their abilities. There are several stages to treating this type of injury: emergency actions to minimize the initial trauma, early or acute care to diagnose the full extent of the issue and correct as much as possible, and rehabilitation to help patients regain some of the physical functionality that may have been lost. Initial treatment for spinal cord injury can include immobilization of the spine, surgery, and drug therapy, while long-term treatments often include physical therapy, medications, and the use of electronic devices.
The first step of treatment for a spinal cord injury is immobilizing the patient's spine. This is critical to keep the damage from getting worse than what occurred during the initial trauma. Emergency medical personnel are trained to use carrying boards or neck collars to stabilize a victim's spine at the scene of an accident so the victim may be safely moved to a hospital. Once there, immobilization will continue during acute care with the use of braces, traction, or specially designed beds; sometimes temporary sedation is also needed while the damage is evaluated.
Once a patient gets to the hospital, doctors will take several actions to provide treatment for spinal cord injury. They may administer methylprednisolone, a drug that has been shown to help reduce damage at the site of spinal cord trauma. Surgery may be necessary to remove damaged portions of the spine, eliminate pressure on the area, or stabilize the spine. Some patients may also require further assistance if they go into shock or stop breathing due to the injury. Secondary issues such as loss of bowel or bladder control, blood clots, or respiratory infections may also need treatment.
After all acute issues have been addressed, treatment for spinal cord injury becomes focused on rehabilitation. Depending on where the injury occurred, patients will receive physical therapy to strengthen the muscles they can still use, redevelop lost skills, and build new ones to help them cope with day-to-day challenges and keep healthy. Some patients can benefit from using medications to help with pain, muscle spasms, or regaining control of the bladder and bowels. Certain technologies may also help improve patients' quality of life, including computers, electrical stimulation devices, and wheelchairs.