Discover treatment options including the spinal cord stimulator and surgery. Learn about rehabilitation therapies and the cost of care for spinal conditions.
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Treatment and Rehabilitation
Treatment for spinal cord disorders focuses on relieving pressure, stabilizing the spine, and managing symptoms. The goal is to preserve function and prevent further damage. Treatment is highly individualized based on the cause, severity, and location of the problem.
Approaches include:
Anyone with progressive neurological deficits needs treatment. If a patient is losing strength, sensation, or bowel control, immediate intervention is usually required. Pain that does not respond to conservative care is also a reason for treatment.
Candidates include:
When the spinal cord is compressed by bone or disc, surgery is often necessary. The procedure removes the structure that is pressing on the cord. This stops the mechanical damage and allows for the potential of recovery.
Common procedures:
Spinal fusion is a surgery to connect two or more vertebrae permanently. It eliminates motion between them. This is often done after a decompression surgery to restore stability to the spinal column.
The process involves:
A spinal cord stimulator is an implanted device that sends low levels of electricity directly into the spinal cord to relieve pain. It is often used for people with chronic pain who have failed other treatments. It acts as a pacemaker for pain.
How it works:
In the event of an acute spinal cord injury, immediate medical care is critical. High dose corticosteroids were historically used to reduce swelling, though their use is now debated and case specific. Maintaining blood pressure is vital to ensure the cord gets oxygen.
Acute measures:
Physical therapy is the cornerstone of recovery. Therapists work to strengthen remaining muscles and teach new ways to move. The brain and spinal cord have some plasticity, meaning they can relearn pathways with repetitive practice.
Therapy goals:
Occupational therapy focuses on the activities of daily living. While physical therapy focuses on moving, occupational therapy focuses on doing. They help patients regain independence in eating, dressing, and bathing.
Interventions include:
Modern technology has revolutionized spinal cord rehabilitation. Robotic exoskeletons and body weight support systems allow patients to stand and walk sooner than ever before. This repetitive motion stimulates the nervous system.
Technologies used:
The cost of treating spinal cord disorders is significant. It varies globally based on the healthcare system and the complexity of the care. Surgery, hospitalization, and lifelong rehabilitation contribute to the expense.
Global cost estimates:
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Evidence suggests that decomposing the spinal cord within the first 24 hours after a traumatic injury offers the best chance for neurological recovery.
Currently, stem cell therapy is experimental; while showing promise in research for regenerating tissue, there is no FDA approved stem cell cure for spinal cord injury yet.
It is a small device implanted under the skin of the abdomen that delivers muscle relaxant directly into the spinal fluid, controlling spasticity with smaller doses than pills.
Yes, Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) uses sticky pads on the skin to send electricity into the muscles, making them contract to pedal a bike or grasp objects.
Prognosis depends on the completeness of the injury; many people with incomplete injuries regain the ability to walk, while those with complete injuries typically rely on wheelchairs for mobility.
Millions of people worldwide suffer from back pain and neck pain due to osteoarthritis in the spine. This condition, known as spinal arthritis, causes the
Nearly 90% of patients feel a lot better after a microdiscectomy. This surgery is a small cut to remove part of a herniated disc that’s
Spinal stenosis affects millions of people worldwide, leading to chronic back pain and reduced mobility. Approximately 250,000 adults in the US suffer from spinal stenosis.
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