Spinal cord injuries are serious, life-changing events. Those who experience them will find themselves confronted with ongoing questions on how their lives will be affected. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, it helps to know you are not alone – there are others asking the same questions as you. The following are some of the most common questions:

1.       What is the spinal cord?

The spinal cord is a fragile, dense bundle of nerves that runs from the base of your brain down and through an open space in your vertebrae. It facilitates communication between the brain and the muscles and organs of your body. Every second of the day, the spinal cord relays messages from the brain to the rest of your body, keeping it moving and functioning properly. When injury to the spinal cord occurs, this communication may be hindered or stop altogether, often resulting in loss of function in the body.

2.       What is spinal cord injury?

A spinal cord injury is when high-impact or other trauma damages the spinal cord in such a way that a person’s sensory, motor and reflex messages are adversely affected. The brain’s inability to effectively communicate with the body can cause a range of symptoms including but not limited to: paralysis; loss of sensitivity to touch and temperature; difficulty in controlling breathing and/or bladder function; and other secondary medical complications.

3.       What are common causes of spinal cord injuries?

Almost 90 per cent of all spinal cord injuries are caused by high-impact, traumatic events – with traffic accidents causing approximately 38 per cent of all cases. Other common causes include injuries from sports such as football, gymnastics, skateboarding and diving. However, there is a strong correlation between cause of injury and age. Generally, people are most at risk of spinal cord injury caused by a traffic or sports accident when they are between the ages of 15-25; with older ages (60 and above), injury is more likely to be due to falls.

4.       Are all spinal cord injuries equally serious?

Whilst all spinal cord injuries are a serious matter with potentially life-changing effects, their level of seriousness can be divided into one of two categories: Complete spinal cord injuries are the most serious and occur when the spinal cord has been injured in such a way that the brain’s ability to send signals below the injury site is completely eliminated. This often results in paralysis, the extent of which is dependent on the location of the injury on the spine.

Incomplete spinal cord injury commonly results from compression or damage to the spinal cord that may reduce the brain’s ability to send messages below the site of the injury. However, this ability is not eliminated completely.

5.       What type of therapy can I expect to treat my spinal cord injury?

In general, the focus of rehabilitation in most spinal cord injury cases is to maximise independence whilst preventing secondary complications such as skin breakdown, lung infections and general deconditioning. A typical therapist team will include doctors and nursing staff, along with physio- and occupational therapists who focus on improving the patient’s ability to move in bed, transfer their body to various surfaces and maintain balance in sitting and standing positions. Sometimes, speech therapists are involved too. This rehabilitation team works together with both patient and family to determine the best and safest discharge plan for the patient and any ongoing support the patient will need.

6.       Is there a cure for spinal cord injuries?

Whilst there is currently no complete cure for spinal cord injury, with dedicated rehabilitation and physiotherapy, patients are often able to maximise function and gain more independence. And, with technological advances made possible through research, the chances of patients gaining independence improves every day. Spinal cord repair and regeneration, implanted stimulation devices and other breakthroughs have shown great promise in minimising the effects of spinal cord injury.

7.       Will my injury cause me to become depressed?

The first thing to know is that depression is common and can affect anyone. However, it is more common in the spinal cord injury population, with rates of depression ranging from 11% to 37%. It’s important to remember, though, that depression is not caused by personal weakness or lack of willpower. Life stresses and medical issues can cause a change in certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters, which are linked to changes in mood, sleep, energy, appetite and the ability to concentrate. Fortunately, with proper counselling and treatment, these symptoms can be treated effectively.