A case study of spinal cord injury

* White matter is one of the two components of the central nervous system, and it consists of glial cells and myelinated axons that transmit signals from one region of the cerebrum to another as well as in between the cerebrum and lower brain centers. Grey matter contains neural cell bodies. Unlike white matter, it is mostly made up of myelinated axon tracts. Tracts are bundles of fibers that connect to different parts of the CNS. Roots receive information sent by neurons. Spinal nerves refer to a mixture of spinal nerves, which carry

4. A tract in the spinal cord would most likely be found in the white matter.

Now that I have shared a brief overview of the spinal cord and some statistics about spinal cord injuries, we will look at the past research that has led to the treatments most commonly used today. In 1990, a steroid called dexamethasone was discovered in human trials to preserve some motor and sensory function if administered at high doses within 8 hours of injury. Surgery used to remove fluid, tissue, or bone fragments, or to stabilize fractured vertebrae by fusing bones or inserting hardware has also proven to be one of the most thorough measures to prevent further harm. I received both of these treatments after my accident, and they are the same that have been used for the past decade. Until recently, doctors had no way of limiting such disabilities, aside from stabilizing the cord to prevent added destruction, treating infections, and prescribing rehabilitative therapy to maximize any remaining capabilities.

What exactly is the difference between paraplegic and quadriplegic? Although they both deal with the spine, they are rather different in the placing of where the damage will appear. Paraplegic is when the spinal cord has been damaged or the nerve roots due to an injury that occurred to the body. Where if damage occurs in the cervical region, it is known to be quadriplegic (Désert 1996). Such that if one is paraplegic, they would experience paralyzing in the lower body, which consist of the right and left leg. Where as if someone is quadriplegic, they would experience paralyzing of the body; which consist of the right and left arm and right and left leg.

1. (6pts) Diagram a neuron and label its components. In what ways are neurons specialized for communication? How do these specializations distinguish neurons from other types of cells?

Spine injuries hurt a lot for example your spine can pop outback this up. 2-100,000 get spine injuries.

Lightly myelinated Aδ fibers and unmyelinated C fibers have thinner axons and a higher threshold of activation. Nociceptors of Aδ fibers can be either mechanosensitive or thermosensitive. Polymodal nociceptors (of C fibers), may respond to both mechanical and thermal stimuli, as well as chemicals [261-263]. When nociceptors are activated, the fibers transmit action potentials along the axon to the spinal cord [264, 265]. The spinal cord mediates sensory and motor communication between the periphery and the brain, and is organized into four regions; cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. The gray matter contains cell bodies of neurons and glia and is divided into the dorsal horn, intermediate column, lateral horn, and ventral horn. The dorsal horn is comprised of sensory nuclei that receive and process incoming sensory information [266], and like the rest of the spinal gray matter, is organized histologically into parallel laminae based on the size and density of neurons [267]. In general, laminae I to IV are involved in exteroceptive sensation whereas laminae V and VI are involved in proprioceptive sensations [263]. Nociceptors terminate in the dorsal horn laminae in a

     This essay is not intended to criticize any emergency medical or hospital staff. I am writing this essay out of concern for patients who come into the emergency room that may have a jeopardized spinal cord resulting from an injury or suspected injury to their cervical spine. I am a certified emergency medical technician, farm-medic instructor and currently a medical diagnostic student doing clinicial's. In the United States each year there are approximately 10,000 reported cervical spine injuries that come into emergency rooms. Motor vehicle accidents account for approximately 45%, falls approximately 30%, the remaining 25% from sports and miscellaneous. Although only a small amount of

In the United States, there are approximately 17,000 new cases of spinal cord injuries every year and it is estimated that as of the year 2016 approximately 282,000 people in the United States have an injury to the spinal cord to some degree (NSCISC 2016). The diagnosis of a spinal cord injury includes any damage to the spinal cord, including the nerves associated with it. This kind of injury causes permanent damage to the body by a decrease in strength, sensation, and body functions (Shroff et al. 2017). Spinal cord injuries are particularly hard to treat because each injury is different and the cells associated with the spinal cord are hard to target and treat. In most cases, no improvement functionally is made and the symptoms are permanent.

Having a spinal cord injury can be a very life changing event in many ways. It can affect the ability to function in different daily activities. Spinal cord injury mostly affects people during their early adult 19 years old and an average age at the time of injury of 38 (National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center 2006). Since a spinal cord injury affects all systems of the human body, a lot of people who end up with a spinal injury have serious inquires about how their injuries will affect their performance in a sexual relationship. The way you feel about sex and the ability to have sex is important and is different for everyone. Having injury to the spinal cord will have some effect on sexual functions in the body. The level of which sexual

The spinal cord has segments or divisions, they are the cervical, the thoracic, the lumber, the sacral

Whereas the spinal cord (often referred to as the brainstem) is the pathways that enables nerve impulses to reach their various destinations in the body. The central nervous system main function is to receive information from the different parts of the body, in which must be analysed and stored in order for it to send out instructions based on those pieces of information. The central nervous system’s main function is to coordinate the numerous organs and muscles required to perform the individual’s desired action(s) (Walker, 2005).

Approximately 11,000 new cases of spinal cord injury (SCI) occur in the United States each year, contributing to the over 200,000 individuals currently living with SCI. SCI results in tremendous changes in an individual’s life, causing impairments to the musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary, integumentary, gastrointestinal, genitourinary and sensory systems. Mobility and self-care become limited as well as participation in social and everyday activities when SCI causes paralysis of the muscles below the injury1. An individual who was once independent may now have to depend on others for help in their daily routine. The rehabilitation process plays a major role in helping those with SCI become as independent as possible, and physical therapists

7. Myelin Sheath whitish fatty segmented sheath around most long axons. It protects the axon, electrically insulates fibers from one another , and increases the speed of nerve impulse transmition.

Approximately 11,000 spinal cord injuries involving Paraplegia are reported in the United States yearly. These injuries occur as a result of automobile and motorcycle accidents, falls, sporting accidents, and gunshot wounds; although, it is also caused by congenital conditions. When the spinal nerve signals below the level of the injury is partially cut off from the brain, this results in Paraplegia disability. This is an impairment of motor or sensory function of the lower extremities. The most affected areas of the spinal canal by Paraplegia are related directly either with the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral regions. Spinal Cord injuries are medical emergencies. Immediate treatment can reduce long-term effects. There are