Consequences of spinal cord injury
A spinal cord injury, technically a “spinal cord lesion”, is a devastating damage to some part of the spinal cord or the nerves at the end of it. It is one of the most severe injuries ever, both physically and mentally.
The degree of damage can be complete or only partial. In either case, it is an irreversible change that will always affect the future life of the person so affected. However, spinal cord injury is not just about loss of mobility in the limbs, as it might seem at first sight.
The higher up the injury is located, the more problems it causes.
Other very serious and common complications include:
- difficulty breathing,
- loss of bladder and bowel control,
- changes in blood circulation, resulting in blood clots.
- problems with thermoregulation,
- spinal muscular atrophy,
- digestive problems,
- impaired sexual function and fertility,
- development of cardiovascular disease and diabetes due to reduced mobility,
- pain,
- depression.
To date, there is no treatment for spinal cord injury patients that allows recovery of damaged functions. Thus, in clinical practice, only intensive rehabilitation will help to improve health. Prevention of pressure sores and spinal misalignment (scoliosis) is important for patients with cervical spinal cord injury.
Early verticalization, tracheostomy or catheterization care is also essential. To restore lost mobility as much as possible, it is most important to combine physiotherapeutic methods and exercises on a neurophysiological basis. This includes the Vojt method, which we practice with Kubik 4 times a day.
Jakoubek also benefits from canister therapy, hippotherapy or acupuncture.
People with spinal cord injuries are under the lifelong care of a multidisciplinary team of specialists: neurologist, orthopedist, pneumologist, urologist, physiotherapist and others.
Depending on the extent of their disability, patients need various compensatory aids (wheelchairs, special seats, braces, stands, walkers…) and depend on 24-hour care from another person.
