Spinal Cord Injury

Recognising the Key Signs and Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury

The clinical manifestation of spinal cord injury can vary widely depending on two main factors: the location of the injury along the spinal column and its severity. Severity is classified as either 'complete' (total loss of function below the injury) or 'incomplete' (some degree of movement or sensation is retained). The higher the injury on the spinal cord, the more widespread the effects. Recognizing the signs and symptoms of spinal cord injury early is critical for immediate medical intervention and for creating an effective long-term rehabilitation plan.

Loss of Movement and Sensation

This is one of the most prominent Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury. It can manifest as paraplegia, which affects the trunk, legs, and pelvic organs, or tetraplegia (also known as quadriplegia), which affects all four limbs, the torso, and the neck. Individuals may also experience a complete loss of sensation or altered feelings like numbness and tingling. The inability to feel heat, cold, touch, and pressure significantly increases the risk of other injuries, such as burns or pressure sores. It also affects proprioception, which is the body's awareness of its position in space.

Changes in Bowel and Bladder Control

The nerves that control the bowel and bladder originate in the lower segments of the spinal cord. Damage to these pathways is extremely common following an SCI, leading to a loss of voluntary control. This condition, known as neurogenic bladder and neurogenic bowel, is a significant aspect of Spinal Cord Injury signs and symptoms. It requires dedicated management strategies, including catheterisation schedules and bowel programs, to prevent complications like kidney damage and infections and to maintain hygiene and dignity.

Altered Reflexes and Spasticity

Immediately after an injury, a person may experience a period of 'spinal shock,' where reflexes are absent, and muscles are flaccid. Following this phase, many individuals develop spasticity, which involves involuntary muscle tightening or spasms and exaggerated reflex responses. These movements can be painful, interfere with sleep and daily activities, and make positioning difficult. Conversely, some individuals may continue to have weak or absent reflexes. These changes in muscle tone are a direct result of the interrupted signals from the brain.

Nerve Pain and Breathing Difficulties

Pain is a common and complex symptom of SCI. Many individuals report intense neuropathic (nerve) pain, often described as a burning, shooting, or stinging sensation, frequently in areas with little or no normal feeling. If the injury is located high in the cervical spine (neck), it can impact the nerves that control the diaphragm and chest muscles. This makes it difficult to breathe deeply and cough independently, significantly increasing the risk of respiratory complications like pneumonia, which is a leading cause of concern for this population.

Impact on Sexual Function and Fertility

An SCI can significantly alter sexual health, including sensation, physical function, and fertility. The specific effects depend on the level and completeness of the injury. This is a crucial and sensitive aspect of the overall spinal cord injury symptoms that can deeply affect relationships and self-esteem. Comprehensive rehabilitation programs address these concerns with sensitivity and expertise, providing education and exploring options to help individuals maintain sexual intimacy and address fertility goals.

Primary Causes of Spinal Cord Injury

The causes of Spinal Cord Injury are generally categorised as either traumatic or non-traumatic. While sudden, forceful events are the most frequent Spinal Cord Injury reasons, underlying medical conditions can also lead to similar damage over time. Understanding the origin of the injury is vital for the medical team to stabilize the spine and create a targeted treatment and rehabilitation plan that addresses the specific nature of the damage.

Traumatic Incidents

These are the most common Spinal Cord Injury causes, resulting from a sudden, forceful blow to the spine that fractures, dislocates, crushes, or compresses one or more vertebrae. Key examples include motor vehicle accidents, which are the leading cause of SCIs in younger adults. Significant falls, especially from a height or in older adults with weaker bones, are another major cause. Acts of violence, such as gunshot or stab wounds that penetrate the spinal cord, and sports-related accidents from high-impact activities like diving into shallow water, gymnastics, or football, can also result in devastating traumatic injuries.

Non-Traumatic Conditions

Various diseases and degenerative processes can also be Reasons for Spinal Cord Injury. These conditions compromise the spinal cord by causing inflammation, compression, or a loss of blood supply. Examples include severe arthritis or degenerative disc disease leading to spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), and cancer that forms tumours on or near the spinal cord. Infections that create abscesses, inflammatory diseases like transverse myelitis, and vascular problems such as spinal strokes or arteriovenous malformations can also damage spinal cord tissue and lead to progressive or sudden functional loss.

How Physiotherapy Helps Manage Symptoms of Spinal Cord Injury

Physiotherapy is a cornerstone of recovery and long-term management after a spinal cord injury. At Physiotattva, our goal extends beyond treating physical impairments; we aim to empower individuals to achieve the highest possible level of independence and quality of life. Rehabilitation is a dynamic process focused on managing spinal cord injury symptoms, preventing secondary spinal cord injury complications, and fostering functional adaptation.

Maximising Mobility and Strength

Our physiotherapists design highly customized exercise programs to maintain and strengthen any remaining muscle function below the injury level. This includes passive stretching to maintain joint flexibility, as well as active-assisted and strengthening exercises. For those with incomplete injuries, advanced gait training, often with body-weight support systems, helps retrain walking patterns. We also provide extensive training on using assistive devices like braces, walkers, and wheelchairs, focusing on safe and efficient mobility.

Managing Pain and Spasticity

We employ a combination of targeted techniques to help manage chronic nerve pain and reduce muscle spasticity. A comprehensive approach includes guided stretching routines, proper positioning strategies to reduce abnormal tone, and specific exercises to improve comfort and increase range of motion. Modalities such as hydrotherapy can provide a supportive environment for movement with less pain. These interventions are crucial for making daily activities more manageable and improving overall comfort.

Improving Respiratory Function

For individuals with injuries affecting their breathing muscles, our therapists play a vital role in respiratory care. We teach specialized breathing exercises to strengthen the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, along with assisted coughing techniques (e.g., quad cough) to help clear secretions from the lungs. This proactive approach helps maintain lung capacity, improves oxygenation, and significantly reduces the risk of life-threatening respiratory infections like pneumonia.

Enhancing Functional Independence

A primary goal of physiotherapy is to help patients regain independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). A major part of this is functional mobility training, where we provide practical instruction for essential tasks like transferring safely from a bed to a chair, repositioning in bed to prevent pressure sores, and navigating environmental barriers. By helping individuals adapt to new ways of performing daily routines, we foster confidence, promote self-reliance, and empower them to participate more fully in their homes and communities.

Improving Independence and Function After Spinal Cord Injury at Physiotattva

Recovery after a spinal cord injury depends on understanding how the condition affects the body at different levels and severities. Changes in movement, sensation, and vital bodily functions can create significant daily challenges. Recognising specific spinal cord injury symptoms and addressing their root cause is essential for effective management. Although research continues to advance treatment options, a structured and holistic rehabilitation approach remains fundamental to recovery. With specialised physiotherapy, individuals can manage symptoms, prevent complications, improve functional abilities, and progress toward greater independence and long-term quality of life.

At Physiotattva physiotherapy clinics in Bangalore and Hyderabad, you receive personalised care tailored to your specific needs, ensuring effective results and comfort throughout your journey to recovery. 

Don’t wait to start your recovery! Get in touch with Physiotattva for more details! Contact us at +91 89510 47001.