SPINAL INJURY

MANALI H SOLANKI
F.Y.M.SC.NURSING
STUDENT J G COLLEGE OF
NURSING
ANATOMY ANDPHYSIOLOGY
DEFINITION
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is
damage to the spinal cord that
results in a loss of function such
as mobility or feeling.
TYPES OF SPINAL CORD INJURY

Complete Spinal Cord Injuries

Complete paraplegia is described as

permanent loss of motor and nerve
function at T1 level or below, resulting in
loss of sensation and movement in the
legs, bowel, bladder, and sexual region.
Arms and hands retain normal function.
INCOMPLETE SPINAL CORD
INJURIES

Anterior cord syndrome

CENTRAL CORD SYNDROME
POSTERIOR CORD SYNDROME
BROWN-SEQUARD SYNDROME
CAUDA EQUINA SYNDROME
RISK FACTORS

Men

Young adults and seniors

People who are active in sports

People with predisposing conditions

CAUSES:

Bullet or stab wound

Traumatic injury

Electric shock

Extreme twisting of the middle of the body

Landing on the head during a sports injury

 Fall from a great height
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
CERVICAL (NECK) INJURIES
Breathing difficulties

Loss of normal bowel and bladder control

Numbness

Sensory changes

Spasticity (increased muscle tone)

THORACIC (CHEST LEVEL) INJURIES

Loss of normal bowel and bladder control

Numbness

Sensory changes

Spasticity (increased muscle tone)

Weakness, paralysis
LUMBAR SACRAL (LOWER BACK)
INJURIES
Loss of normal bowel and bladder control (you may
have constipation, leakage, and bladder spasms)

Numbness

Pain

Sensory changes

Weakness and paralysis

ASSESSMENT
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
Complete blood count (e.g. Hb, RBC,
WBC)

Arterial
blood gas level
PaO2:85-95 mm of Hg
PaCO2:35-45 mm of Hg
X- RAYS:
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY (CT)
SCANS
MAGNETIC RESONANCE
IMAGING (MRI):
MYELOGRAPHY:
 POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

Bloodpressure changes - can be extreme

(autonomic hyperreflexia)
Chronic kidney disease

Complications of immobility:

Deep vein thrombosis

Pulmonary infections
Skin breakdown
Contractures
 Increased risk of urinary tract infections

Loss of bladder control

Loss of bowel control

Loss of sensation

Loss
of sexual functioning (male
impotence)
 Muscle spasticity

Paralysis of breathing muscles

Paralysis (paraplegia, quadriplegia)

Pressure sores

Shock
MEDICAL MANAGEMENT:
Whole blood

NS

RL

Hydrocortisone:

Action : steroids
 Norepinephrine
action: adrenergic drug

Epinephrine

action: and adrenergic drug

Dopamine

action: adrenergic, anti shock drug

SURGICAL MANAGEMENT
NURSING MANAGEMENT:
 Impairedphysical mobility related to
loss of motor function

Fluid
volume deficit related to
decrease LOC

Risk
for injury related to loss of
motor function
 Urinary retention related to level of injury

Risk for Impaired skin integrity related to

trauma

Knowledge deficit regarding the treatment

modalities and current situation.

Anxiety related to outcome of diseases as

evidenced by poor concentration on work,
isolation from others, rude behaviour
DIET PLAN
REHABILITATION

Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy

Speech Therapy

Mental Rehabilitation

Physical Exercise

Occupational Therapy
THANK YOU