Spinal Cord Injury Peer Support

Synopsis by MobiLife, Power Wheel Chairs

There are plenty of organizations across the globe that provide spinal cord injury peer support. For example, all of the groups listed on our website are recognized for their dedication and assistance. A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is defined as damage or trauma to the spinal cord that in turn results in a loss or impaired function resulting in reduced mobility or feeling, which can lead to psychological issues. This is why therapy and peer support is so crucial. Common causes of damage to the spinal cord, are trauma (car/motorcycle accident, gunshot, falls, sports injuries, etc), or disease (Transverse Myelitis, Polio, Spina Bifida, Friedreich's Ataxia, etc.). The resulting damage to the spinal cord is known as a lesion, and the paralysis is known as Quadriplegia or Quadraplegia/Tetraplegia if the injury is in the Cervical (neck) region, or as Paraplegia if the injury is in the Thoracic, Lumbar or Sacral region.

It is possible for someone to suffer a Broken Neck, or a Broken Back without becoming paralyzed. This occurs when there is a fracture or dislocation of the vertebrae, but the spinal cord has not been damaged. The nerves that are situated within the spinal cord are called upper motor neurons, (UMNs) and their primary function is to carry the messages back and forth from the brain along spinal nerves within the spinal tract (spinal cord). The spinal nerves that branch out from the spinal cord to the other parts of the body are called lower motor neurons (LMNs). These spinal nerves exit and enter at each vertebral level and communicate with specific areas of the body.

The sensory portions of the cord, contained within the ascending tracts of the UMNs, carry messages about sensation from the skin such as pain, temperature, touch and joint position to the brain. The motor portions of the spinal cord are contained within the descending tracts of the UMNs, and send messages from the brain to the various body parts to initiate actions such as muscle movement.

It is important to note, that the spinal cord does not have to be completely severed for there to be a loss of function. In fact, the spinal cord remains intact in most cases of spinal cord injury. One of the most common causes of damage to the spinal cord occurs through swelling of the cord, which is then damaged due to the confines of the narrow space within the vertebrae This in turn causes cellular damage resulting in scar tissue to form, which in turn inhibits the formation of new nerve pathways making the resultant paralysis permanent.

Someone with a spinal cord injury will have a long road of rehabilitation ahead of them, initially at a Spinal Injury Center or Spinal Injury Unit, and it is important that they keep their sense of humor on their bad days to help them maintain a positive attitude. Generally, Paraplegics will be in hospital for around 5 months, where as Quadriplegics can be in hospital for around 6 - 8 months, whilst they undergo rehabilitation.

Both Paraplegics and Quadriplegics should have some kind of rehabilitation and physiotherapy before they are discharged from hospital, to help maximize their potential, or help them get used to life in a wheelchair, and to help teach techniques which make everyday life easier. Disabled sports, and wheelchair based sports can be an excellent way to build stamina, and help in rehabilitation by giving confidence and better social skills. The ultimate reward for many disabled sportsmen and women is to win at the Paralympic Games, which will be coming to London in 2012.

Recently, research has made progress in limiting the cellular damage in the early stages of acute spinal injuries. This treatment usually has to be applied within the first few weeks post injury, and comprises of combination therapy to restrict the formation of scar tissue, and to promote the regeneration of new axions within the spinal cord. A cure for long term paralysis is still some years in the future, but clinical trials are taking place with Olfactory Ensheathing Glial (OEG) cells and stem cell combination therapies.

The spinal cord also contains internal nerve feedback circuits that regulate the walking process and joint reflexes. For example, these reflexes lift our foot automatically when we stub a toe, and it has been shown that there is a reflex which initiates the lifting of one foot, when the opposite foot is placed on the ground. With intensive physiotherapy techniques, these reflexes can be used to gain additional function.