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Spinal Cord Injury Questions
What is meant by
the word paralysis?
What is the difference between paraplegia & tetraplegia?
My friend has the same level of injury as me but he can feel his
legs and I can’t. Why?
What is the difference between a complete and incomplete injury?
Do people with SCI
ever get better?
Is there a cure for SCI?
What is life
expectancy after SCI?
What does a person with SCI need to live in the community?
Does everyone
with SCI use a wheelchair?
What is the Spinal Cord?
What is Spinal Cord
Injury?
Is there any treatment for
SCI?
My friend has broken his neck/back what is the prognosis?
What research is being
done?
What causes a Spinal
Cord Injury?
How
is sexuality affected by spinal cord injury?
How do you
pass water / manage your bowels?
Parenthood - is it possible for me now I'm
paralysed?
Where should spinal cord injured persons go for rehabilitation?
What does the spinal cord look like and what does it do?
What happens
when nerve fibers regrow?
What is a Stem Cell?
General Questions
How do I chat on your
site?
How do you use the
message boards?
Can I
use your story for my college/work report?
What is meant by
the word paralysis?
Paralysis refers to the inability to control movement or to
detect sensations such as touch and temperature.
Back to top
What is the difference between paraplegia & tetraplegia?
Paraplegia can be generalised as losing control of movement and
sensation from the waist down, the term tetraplegia includes
loss of function in the upper body, arms and hands. For
further information see
Paraplegia,
Tetraplegia
Back to top
My friend has the same level of injury as me but he can feel his
legs and I can’t. Why?
The amount of movement and sensation you have will depend on
which parts of the spinal cord have been damaged. Those parts of
your friend's spinal cord responsible for transmitting sensory
information have been saved while those responsible for
controlling movement may have been damaged. For further
information see
Complete Injury,
Incomplete Injury
sections.
Back to top
What is the difference between a complete and incomplete injury?
Complete' describes injuries where there is effectively no
transmission of signals across a spinal cord lesion, with no
voluntary control of movement or perception of sensations below
the lesion. 'Incomplete' injuries are those where some of the
pathways across the spinal cord lesion are undamaged. The
outcome can be extremely variable and depends on which parts of
the spinal cord are damaged. For further information see
Complete Injury,
Incomplete Injury
sections.
Back to top
Do people with SCI
ever get better?
At the time of injury, the spinal cord swells. When the swelling
goes down, some functioning may return. Especially in incomplete
injuries, functioning may return as late as 18 months after the
injury. However, only a very small fraction of people with SCI
recover all functioning. There are major advances happening in
the research field today. For further information see
Research / Cure
section. Back to top
Is
there a cure for SCI?
Most body parts and organs can repair themselves after they are
injured. However the central nervous system cannot. Attempting
to repair the damage caused by a brain or spinal cord injury is
a puzzle that has not yet been solved. Nevertheless the damage
caused by an SCI can be reduced by limiting immediate cell death
and reducing the inflammation of the injured cord.
Attempts to regenerate function in the damaged area are focusing
on regrowing nerves, blocking the mechanism that stops neurons
from re-growing themselves, inserting new cells and bypassing
the damaged area. For further information see
Research / Cure
section. Back to top
What is life expectancy after SCI?
Before World War II, most people who sustained SCI died within
weeks of their injury due to urinary dysfunction, respiratory
infection or bedsores. However modern antibiotics and materials
such as plastics and latex, and better procedures for dealing
with the everyday issues of living with SCI, mean many people
approach the lifespan of the general population. Most who
survive the first 24 hours are still alive 10 years later.
Back to top
What does a person with SCI need to live in the community?
Each person with a disability is different. Each will have
different needs in levels of care and equipment. Care comes in
various forms: personal, domestic, household, respite, nursing,
community access.
Personal care: showering, toileting, transferring, feeding.
Domestic services: meal preparation, shopping, cleaning,
ironing.
Household support: gardening, home cleaning, home maintenance.
Community access: transport, companion.
Nursing: medication.
Respite: for time spent away from home.
Other: childcare and workplace or education support.
People with paraplegia will need little or no personal care, but
will need assistance with domestic duties.
People with high cervical injury can require 24 hour care.
Equipment needs include manual or power wheelchair with battery
charger, portable ramps, hoist, pressure relief cushion, shower
chair, catheter, adjustable bed, air conditioning, ventilator,
physiotherapy, home automation (possible voice controlled),
computer, modified vehicle.
Does everyone
with SCI use a wheelchair?
People with high injuries usually need a power wheelchair for
independent mobility. People with low cervical SCIs and below
may be able to use manual wheelchairs.
Manual chairs are more convenient as they cost and weigh less
and are easy to fold for transport. However the independence
provided by a power chair to the person who needs it outweighs
any limitations.
Some people walk using crutches and leg braces. This does not
mean they will never use a wheelchair, perhaps preferring them
only for longer distances. Back to top
What
is the Spinal Cord?
The spinal cord enables your brain to communicate with your
body. Up and down the spinal cord, every second of your life,
messages are sent to keep you on the move. When a spinal cord
injury occurs, communication may be severed, resulting in a loss
of function. Back to top
What is Spinal Cord Injury?
Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurs when a traumatic event results
in damage to cells within the spinal cord or severs the nerve
tracts that relay signals up and down the spinal cord. The most
common types of SCI include contusion (bruising of the spinal
cord) and compression (caused by pressure on the spinal cord).
Other types of injuries include lacerations (severing or tearing
of some nerve fibers, such as damage caused by a gun shot
wound), and central cord syndrome (specific damage to the
corticospinal tracts of the cervical region of the spinal cord).
Severe SCI often causes paralysis (loss of control over
voluntary movement and muscles of the body) and loss of
sensation and reflex function below the point of injury,
including autonomic activity such as breathing and other
activities such as bowel and bladder control. Other symptoms
such as pain or sensitivity to stimuli, muscle spasms, and
sexual dysfunction may develop over time. SCI patients are also
prone to develop secondary medical problems, such as bladder
infections, lung infections, and bed sores. Back
to top
Is
there any treatment for SCI?
While recent advances in emergency care and rehabilitation allow
many SCI patients to survive, methods for reducing the extent of
injury and for restoring function are still limited. Immediate
treatment for acute SCI includes techniques to relieve cord
compression, prompt (within 8 hours of the injury) drug therapy
with corticosteroids such as methylprednisolone to minimize cell
damage, and stabilization of the vertebrae of the spine to
prevent further injury. For further information see
Treatment section of
this site. Back to top
My friend has broken his neck/back what is the prognosis?
The types of disability associated with SCI vary greatly
depending on the severity of the injury, the segment of the
spinal cord at which the injury occurs, and which nerve fibers
are damaged. Most people with SCI regain some functions between
a week and 6 months after injury, but the likelihood of
spontaneous recovery diminishes after 6 months. Rehabilitation
strategies can minimize long-term disability. For further
information see
Treatment section of
this site. Back to top
What research is being done?
Research on trauma-related disorders such as SCI focuses on
increasing scientific understanding of how changes in molecules,
cells, and their complex interactions determine the outcome of
SCI, and finding ways to prevent and treat these injuries. There
is also increasing interest in neural stem and progenitor cells
and their potential application in cell replacement therapies
for the treatment of complex neurological disorders such as SCI.
For further information see
Research / Cure
section. Back to top
Causes of Spinal Cord Injury?
The most common causes of spinal cord injury are car and other
motor vehicle collisions (54.7%), falls (17.7%), and other
medical conditions and sports injuries (27.6%). The injury is
usually caused by sudden impact, which crushes the spine and
cord. For further information see
Causes of SCI section.
Back to top
How is
sexuality affected by spinal cord injury?
Sexual function, as in all other human bodily systems, is
controlled by the central nervous system. Thus, any injury to
the central nervous system will affect sexual function. The
question is to what extent function and sensation will be
affected with injuries at various levels and degrees of
severity. Also, in what ways do the symptoms manifest themselves
in males v. females. As one can imagine, this is a vast and
complex subject that cannot be adequately treated in just a few
paragraphs. For further information see
Fact Sheets section.
Back to top
How do you
pass water / manage your bowels?
Spinal cord injury at any level almost always affects your
control over your bladder and bowels. This is because the nerves
controlling these internal organs are attached to the very base
of the spinal cord (levels S2-4), and then pass down through the
cauda equina, the horse's tail, below the cord itself. In the
old days it was said, rather crudely and pessimistically, that
spinal cord injury made you doubly incontinent. For many people
this is one of the worst horrors, the idea of being condemned to
a life of indignity with no control over the basic bodily
functions. However, although you will not have the same control
that you used to before your injury, choosing freely (within
certain limits) when and where to go a whole range of techniques
and equipment exist to help you to manage your bladder and
bowels. These techniques include the use of movement, pressure,
implanted electrodes and/or drugs to stimulate muscles which no
longer respond to your brain; diet and/or drugs to slow down or
speed up the way the body handles fluids and solids; the use of
tubes and drainage bags; re-routing of the body's drainage
channels; and pads and other special clothing to absorb any
leakage. Each individual is different, but used singly or in
combination, appropriate continence aids and techniques should
enable you to re-establish a degree of control over both your
bladder and bowels, and enable you to lead a normal life.
For further information see
Fact Sheets section.
Back to top
Parenthood - is it possible for me now I'm paralysed?
Were you told, whilst in hospital after your injury, that
children for you would be out of the question? Were you advised
not to even think about it? Many people with a spinal
cord injury, both male and female, tetraplegic and paraplegic
are the proud mothers and fathers of children post injury. I'm
not saying its going to be easy or possible for everyone but
there is hope. For further information see
Fact Sheets section.
Back to top
Where should spinal-cord-injured persons go for rehabilitation?
In the United Kingdom, it's best to try to get admission to one
of the specialist spinal injuries units, the contact information
for all UK units is held in the
Fact Sheets section.
Some factors to consider in choosing a specialist unit:
Reputation/word of mouth. Proximity to home, family, friends.
Availability of facilities needed/wanted for one's specific
rehabilitation objectives. For example, FES,physiotherapy,
occupational therapy, attitudes of staff.
In the USA, The National Spinal Cord Injury Association (NSCIA
at 1-800-962-9629) maintains a current list of all accredited
programs... over 50 in all. Back to top
What does the spinal cord look like and what does it do?
The cord in humans may be likened to a coaxial cable, about one
inch in diameter, and is a continuation of the brain. It looks
like firm, white fat; nerves extend out from the cord to the
muscles, skin and bones, to control movement, receive sensations
and regulate bodily excretions and secretions. The 31 pairs of
spinal nerves divide the cord into the following segments: 8
cervical, 12 thoracic, 5 lumbar, 5 sacral, and 1 coccygeal.For
further information see
Spinal Injury section.
Back to top
What happens
when nerve fibers regrow?
The nerve cell body remains intact, and only the "sending" or
"receiving" fibers have to regrow as longer extensions from the
nerve cell body. The peripheral nerves, outside the brain and
spinal cord can do this quite easily. But within the brain and
spinal cord there is much impediment to such regrowth. For
further information see
Research / Cure
section. Back to top
What is a
Stem Cell?
All mammals begin as two cells -- sperm and egg -- that combine
into a single cell. This single cell will divide exponentially
into specialized cells making up various organs and systems --
all the tissues of a new organism. Simply put, a stem cell is an
immature cell that can become a different cell, or perhaps
become one of many different cells. Most stem cells also can
renew themselves -- divide -- indefinitely. These two
characteristics are what present a new pathway to repairing
damage to the human body caused by trauma, degeneration and
disease. For further information see
Research / Cure
section. Back to top
How do I chat / meet other people on your site?
The chat room obviously requires two people for it to work. It
will then work in real time, allowing several people to chat
together. There
are two ways of doing this:
1) Enter the chat room and wait......You will be visible to other
site visitors as 'in' the chat room
2) Arrange a time to meet someone else in there. If you want to
talk with me then email me and I'll do my best to be there :)
You can of course use the
Message Boards too, as soon as you
post/reply to a message it will update straight away and be
visible to everyone else too.
Chat Room,
Message Boards.
Back to top
How do you use the
message boards?
You do not have to register if you just want to read the
messages. If you want to be part of our community and join in
with posts/replies etc then you MUST register first.
Please, please don't register a username then not use the board
it wastes valuable resources.
Here are some guidelines about getting the most out of the
Message Boards . Hope it helps.
Registration: This is where you pick your user name and password as well as
agree to the terms of the bboard (standard stuff). You must put
the dot in the 'agree' section to be able to register, once you
click 'register' your password will be sent to the email address
you registered and you will be at a login page.
Login: Once you have registered, you'll be asked to login. Either cut n
paste your password into the password box or type it in manually
paying attention to upper and lower case letters and numerals
etc. When you do log in, be sure to log in "Forever" or check
off "Always stay logged in" so that you don't have to login
again after the specified amount of time is up. Then each time
you return to the message board you will already be logged in.
You should be put right onto the main page for the forum. If you
receive an error message and it asks you to log in again, first
thing you should do is make sure you have cookies enabled in
your browser preferences. Once you do that, shut down your
browser and reopen it. Should work.
If not, try this:
1. Hit your back button on your browser to get you to the last
page you were on--even if it is the login page.
2. From there hit the "Home" button on the menu bar below the
Spinal Injury Net banner or do what you can to go back and get
to the message board (you *are* logged in so don't worry about
it saying you are not).
3. Refresh the Board by using the message board link on the left
hand side of my website
6. If that doesn't work, email me and I'll try and help you
through it, it will only be something simple
Profile: Once you get in, you can click on the "Profile" button in the
menu bar at the top and personalize your posts. This is where
you can change your email address and pass word. You can let
people know what your AOL, Yahoo, or MSN IM name is. You can set
your time zone. This board is set to GMT
Probably the most fun is personalizing your posts. You can set
up a quote as well as your signature which shows up at the end
of your message. Signatures can use code to make it pretty and
you can link to a graphic as well. Please just keep the pictures
relatively small. Any time you change your profile info it
changes it on all your messages, past and present.
Many people are wondering what an AVATAR is and where to get
one. Well, an avatar is a picture used to represent you. Doesn't
have to BE you, just something fun. (See my pic of a cartoon
Moose for example) You can set one up within your profile
settings--boardnation has several to choose from--or you can
link to a picture someplace on the web. You just need to have
the complete url (i.e.http://www.yoursite.com/images/youricon.gif).
All I ask is that you try to keep the size on the small
end--like no more than 80x80 pixels if possible. And if there is
one you'd like but haven't seen or is too big, contact me and
I'll see what I can do. Just ask me and we'll find a solution.
Posting: Probably the best place to read particulars on posting to this
bboard is in the "Posting" section of the HELP file which can be
accessed on the menu bar at the top of the page. But, a few
things to know:
1. To post a new topic/thread, click on the category you wish to
post in eg (general sci discussion) to bring you to the main
bboard. Click the "New Post" button at the top right of the main bboard.
2. You can edit your messages by clicking on the "Modify" button
within your post.
3. Only Moderators and Administrators can delete messages. So,
if you have one you really are sorry you put up there, contact
me and I will delete it. DON'T WORRY ABOUT MAKING MISTAKES just
go ahead and try it.
Text Effects / Links etc:
These are accessed by all the little buttons above the posting
text box. For them to work properly put your words inside
the two sets of brackets that are created e.g. [b] your text
here [/b] The words 'your text here' will then display in
bold.
Fun stuff about posting:
Smilies are available now and there is quite a bit to jazz up
your messages. Please go see the YaBB HELP file (as mentioned
above) to see what they are.
Instant Messages: This is much like using your "E-MAIL" only you don't get email
sent to your personal account. You can get it right at the
bboard when you log in. To send a message, click on the person's
handle you wish to contact. You will be sent to their public
profile. At the bottom of the page it will say "Send this member
a private message." Click on it and write your message. If you
want to know if you have any messages, just look to the right of
the banner to see if there is a notification. If you do, click
on the number and it will take you to the message.
Instant messages are a great way to get in touch with Admin and
the Moderators as well as each other. However: Do not let your
messages back up. Space is limited on this server and we will go
in and delete if you do not. Only leave what's necessary.
Notifications: Another button on your menu bar will allow you to turn on or off
announcement notifications to your personal email. I don't
intend to send out many announcements, so it's up to you whether
or not you'd like to hear from me.
Miscellaneous: Many problems viewing or using the bboard can be attributed to
your internet browser. Web sites can look vastly different
between Netscape or IE as well as from Mac to PC and from
connection to connection. All I can say is that it is good to
have recent versions of browsers and expect that it will not
always work the way you want. We are here to help you figure out
the problem if we can, so don't be afraid to ask.
If anyone becomes abusive they can and will be banned from the
bboard. Now, that does not mean people can't have disagreements
here or discussions or even arguments. But, the minute it
degenerates to name calling and swearing, you will get no
notice. You will be deleted from the member list and banned from
the site.
To Message Boards.
Back to top
Can I
use your story for my college/work report?
Yes, you can. I would appreciate an email letting me know the
details before you start. When quoting the source reference
please use the following URL
www.spinal-injury.net. Back to top
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