This is an automatically translated article.
The article is professionally consulted by Master, Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Thi Thanh Binh - Rehabilitation Doctor - Department of General Surgery - Vinmec Da Nang International General Hospital.Spinal cord contusion is a serious injury, most often due to trauma. Cervical spinal cord contusion means injury to the cervical spinal cord, the highest segment of the entire human spinal cord.
Therefore, most patients have to face the risk of quadriplegia, loss of sensation in the lower body and disturbances in respiratory, intestinal, and urinary activities... It is worth mentioning now, treatment Spinal cord injury is stopping at the level of life support and rehabilitation for patients, but cannot solve the problem of motor paralysis.
1. Characteristics of the cervical spinal cord
The spinal cord is one of the parts that make up the central nervous system, which governs movement and sensation of the entire body. The spinal cord is made up mainly of neurons and axons. Axons act as bidirectional signaling pathways between the brain and organs.The spinal cord is divided into many segments from top to bottom, which govern each respective organ. The cervical spinal cord is the first segment of the spinal cord, surrounded by the cervical spine, designated C1 to C8, and governs the neck and upper extremities.
Tuỷ cổ là đoạn tuỷ đầu tiên
2. Paralysis due to cervical spinal cord contusion
Paralysis after cervical spinal cord injury is a common and unavoidable serious sequelae. When the spinal cord is crushed, the axons are also damaged and lose their function. Signal transmission between the brain and organs is disrupted, leading to partial or total paralysis. The degree of paralysis depends on the extent of the injury, which varies from patient to patient.Cervical segmental paralysis often leads to paralysis and sensory disturbances in the arms, legs, and trunk. Disorders of respiratory activity, disorders of urination, intestinal tract,... are accompanying abnormalities. The clinical examination should be carried out meticulously to assess the degree of paralysis and accompanying injuries, including:
Full body examination: observe spinal abnormalities, detect old surgical scars if present Neurological examination: including examination of movement, sensation, dysfunction of bowel and bladder, abnormalities of autonomic nervous system such as headache, hypertension, ... Diagnosis and classification of cervical spinal cord injury, including motor and sensory paralysis according to the American Spinal Injury Association classification of spinal cord injuries.
3. Treatment of paralysis due to cervical spinal cord contusion
Treatment of paralysis due to cervical spinal cord injury is a long process, requiring efforts from the patient, family members and doctors. The treatment focuses mainly on supporting the patient with drugs and rehabilitation to help the patient gradually recover. Commonly used drugs can be muscle relaxants, pain relievers. Physiotherapy should be carried out regularly, with the help of medical staff or the person providing direct care.After a period of persistent training, nerve signaling pathways have a chance to partially or fully recover. Electrical stimulation or acupuncture may be combined to enhance the effect.
Điều trị liệt do dập tuỷ cổ là một quá trình dài hơi, cần sự cố gắng từ phía bệnh nhân, người nhà và các y bác sĩ
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